SAN DIEGO - Snow and icy conditions on Interstate 8 in the far East County area prompted the California Highway Patrol to shut down both sides of the roadway Wednesday morning.

A Sig Alert was initially issued for eastbound I-8 lanes at Willows Road in Alpine at 7:30 a.m. due to the weather conditions. Westbound I-8 lanes at Ocotillo Road -- just west of El Centro -- were closed a short time later.

INTERACTIVE MAP: Check weather conditions

TRAFFIC: Check up-to-the-minute traffic conditions

The combination of the road conditions and drivers going too fast led to several spinouts. One of the car crashes involved a driver who lost control of her car and clipped a CHP patrol car.

There were also a number of drivers that became stuck in the snow and had to rely on tow truck drivers to dig them out.

However, even tow trucks weren't safe on the road, as 10News cameras caught one that became stuck in the snow.

Some tow truck drivers said snow and ice is good for their business, but it also makes it more dangerous.

Rocky Loomis, a truck driver for a water company, said he was heading towards Lakeside to get a load of water, but because of the closure he had to drive back to Yuma, Ariz.

The Sig Alert was lifted at 9:54 a.m.