Unplowed Roads Trap Delivery Truck in Northwest DC

Residents spend over an hour digging out 18-wheeler stuck on icy streets near 17th and Kalorama

Jan. 27, 2026 at 4:07pm

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A delivery truck became stuck on unplowed roads in Northwest DC's Kalorama neighborhood, requiring over an hour of shoveling by residents and store employees to free the vehicle and allow it to continue its route.

Why it matters

This incident highlights the ongoing challenges residents face due to the city's slow response to clearing snow and ice from secondary streets, even weeks after a major winter storm. The difficulties encountered by the delivery truck underscore the need for more efficient snow removal efforts to ensure safe passage for all vehicles.

The details

Around 1:00 pm on January 27, 2026, an 18-wheeler making a delivery to the Harris Teeter at 17th St and Kalorama Rd attempted to pull out of the loading dock heading northbound on 17th St. The truck quickly became stuck and began spinning its wheels on the ice. Several Harris Teeter employees, a neighbor, and the resident who reported the incident spent about an hour shoveling and chipping away at layers of ice and snow before they were able to free the truck and help it proceed northbound. The truck then attempted to turn right onto Euclid St NW in order to reach 16th St and became stuck again while making the turn, requiring an additional 30-45 minutes of shoveling to clear the intersection enough for the truck to get through.

  • Around 1:00 pm on January 27, 2026, the incident occurred.
  • It took about an hour to free the truck from the first location.
  • It took an additional 30-45 minutes to free the truck from the second location.

The players

Harris Teeter

A grocery store chain where the delivery truck was making a delivery.

Kalorama Road

A street in Northwest DC's Kalorama neighborhood that was unplowed.

17th Street NW

A street in Northwest DC's Kalorama neighborhood that was unplowed.

Euclid Street NW

A street in Northwest DC's Kalorama neighborhood that was unplowed.

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What they’re saying

“This is a small but telling example of how challenging road conditions remain in parts of the city”

— Resident (popville.com)

What’s next

City officials have not yet announced a timeline for when secondary streets in the Kalorama neighborhood will be fully cleared of snow and ice.

The takeaway

This incident underscores the need for the District government to improve its snow removal efforts, especially on secondary streets, to ensure the safe passage of all vehicles and prevent similar disruptions to local businesses and residents.