HUDSONVILLE, Mich. (AP) – Over 100 vehicles were involved in a massive pileup on Monday on Interstate 196 in Michigan, just southwest of Grand Rapids, as heavy snowfall fueled by the Great Lakes blanketed the state. The collision prompted the Michigan State Police to close both directions of the interstate to facilitate the removal of vehicles, which included more than 30 semitrailer trucks.
According to the Michigan State Police, although there were numerous injuries reported, no fatalities have been documented. Witnesses recounted the terrifying experience. Pedro Mata Jr. described the conditions while driving at a reduced speed of 20-25 mph (32-40 kph). He noted that visibility was severely impaired due to snow blowing across the road. After managing to stop his pickup truck safely, he opted to pull off the road into the median to avoid the risk of being struck from behind.
Mata remarked, “It was a little scary just listening to everything, the bangs and booms behind you. I saw what was in front of me. I couldn’t see what was behind me exactly.” His account highlights the danger that drivers faced during the winter storm, which has significantly impacted various regions across the country.
The weather conditions were part of a larger winter storm affecting several states, with the National Weather Service issuing warnings for extremely cold temperatures and winter storms extending from northern Minnesota to parts of Wisconsin, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New York. A day prior, snow had even reached as far south as Florida’s Panhandle, complicating outdoor activities, including playoff football games in Massachusetts and Chicago. Forecasters also cautioned that freezing temperatures were likely to persist overnight into Tuesday across much of north-central Florida and southeastern Georgia.
The Ottawa County Sheriff's Office reported numerous crashes and jack-knifed semitrailer trucks, along with many passenger cars losing traction and sliding off the road. Stranded motorists were taken to Hudsonville High School, where they could call for assistance or arrange transportation. Authorities anticipated that the road would remain closed for several hours while cleanup efforts were underway.
In response to the chain-reaction crash, Grand Valley Towing sent more than a dozen trucks to assist in removing stranded vehicles. The manager of the company, Jeff Westveld, emphasized their commitment to clearing the roadway as quickly as possible, stating, “We’re trying to get as many vehicles out of there as quickly as possible so we can get the road opened back up.” Other towing companies also responded to the scene despite the harsh freezing weather, showcasing the community’s efforts to address the crisis.
The incident on Interstate 196 serves as a reminder of the dangers associated with severe winter weather, affecting not only traffic but also safety on the roads during such challenging conditions.
