A large-scale multi-vehicle crash involving roughly 100 vehicles forced the closure of a section of Interstate 196 in western Michigan on Monday morning as dangerous winter weather swept through the region, injuries were reported but no deaths confirmed, reports Baltimore Chronicle via FOX Weather.
The pileup occurred southeast of Grand Rapids near the city of Zeeland, according to the Ottawa County Sheriff’s Office. Deputies responding to the scene said the collision involved passenger vehicles and a significant number of commercial trucks. Initial assessments from law enforcement estimated that approximately 100 vehicles were caught up in the chain-reaction crash. Aerial drone footage from the area showed extensive damage across multiple lanes of the interstate, including at least six tractor-trailers clustered together in one portion of the wreckage.
Michigan State Police later уточнили that between 30 and 40 semi-trucks were among the vehicles involved. Authorities confirmed that multiple people sustained minor injuries, though officials emphasized that no fatalities had been reported as of Monday afternoon.
The crash sequence began at approximately 10:19 a.m. local time, the sheriff’s office said. At the time, heavy lake-effect snow was moving through the area, creating rapidly deteriorating road conditions. According to the FOX Forecast Center, intense blowing snow reduced visibility to as little as a quarter of a mile. Wind gusts ranging from 25 to 40 miles per hour further contributed to whiteout conditions along the highway.
Temperatures in the area were reported to be in the low teens, compounding the hazardous driving environment. Michigan Department of Transportation traffic cameras near the site showed snow-covered lanes and limited visibility during and after the initial collision.
As a result of the pileup, Interstate 196 was fully closed between Zeeland and Hudsonville. The affected stretch extended from Exit 55 through Exit 62, and authorities urged drivers to avoid the area entirely while emergency crews worked at the scene. Law enforcement officials said the closure was expected to last several hours due to the scale of the incident and the complexity of clearing damaged vehicles, particularly large commercial trucks.
Some motorists were stranded on the interstate following the crash. The Ottawa County Sheriff’s Office said those drivers were instructed to remain inside their vehicles for safety reasons until transportation could be arranged. Buses were later dispatched to move stranded individuals to Hudsonville High School, where they could wait until conditions allowed for further travel or assistance.
Emergency responders from multiple agencies were deployed to manage traffic, provide medical assistance, and coordinate the removal of wreckage. Snow continued to fall along I-196 during the response, according to the FOX Forecast Center, creating ongoing challenges for crews working to restore access to the roadway.
Officials said the interstate would remain closed until all vehicles were removed, injured individuals were transported or treated, and the roadway was deemed safe for travel. Drivers across western Michigan were advised to monitor weather updates and road condition reports before heading out, particularly in areas affected by lake-effect snow.
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