Hudsonville, Michigan – More than 100 vehicles were involved in a massive chain-reaction crash on Monday after heavy lake-effect snow severely reduced visibility on an interstate highway in western Michigan. Authorities said numerous people were injured, though no deaths had been reported as of Monday afternoon, according to AP.
Interstate 196 Closed in Both Directions
The Michigan State Police shut down both directions of Interstate 196 just southwest of Grand Rapids after vehicles smashed into one another or slid off the roadway. Officials said the pileup included more than 30 semitrailer trucks, complicating cleanup efforts and forcing an extended closure of the highway.
State police said emergency crews worked for hours to clear the crash site and assist stranded motorists as snowfall continued to blanket the region.
Driver Describes Near-Zero Visibility
Pedro Mata Jr., one of the drivers caught in the dangerous conditions, said blowing snow made it nearly impossible to see vehicles ahead of him. He estimated he was driving 20 to 25 mph when traffic began to stop suddenly.
He managed to halt his pickup truck safely but later pulled into the median to avoid being struck from behind.
“It was a little scary just listening to everything, the bangs and booms behind you,” Mata said. “I couldn’t see what was behind me exactly.”
Winter Storm Impact Felt Across Multiple States
The Michigan crash occurred as a major winter storm continued moving across large parts of the United States. The National Weather Service issued warnings for extreme cold and winter storms stretching from northern Minnesota through Wisconsin, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New York.
Snow was also reported as far south as the Florida Panhandle a day earlier, with forecasters warning of overnight freezing temperatures across north-central Florida and southeast Georgia.
Stranded Motorists Taken to High School Shelter
The Ottawa County Sheriff’s Office reported multiple jack-knifed semitrailers and numerous passenger vehicles that slid off the interstate. With traffic completely stalled, stranded drivers were transported by bus to Hudsonville High School, where they could seek help, warm up, or arrange rides.
Officials said the road was expected to remain closed for several hours while cleanup operations continued.
Dozens of Tow Trucks Deployed in Brutal Cold
Several towing companies responded to the crash scene despite frigid conditions. Grand Valley Towing alone sent more than a dozen trucks to assist in removing damaged and stuck vehicles.
“We’re trying to get as many vehicles out of there as quickly as possible, so we can get the road opened back up,” said Jeff Westveld, a manager with the company.
Authorities urged drivers across the region to avoid unnecessary travel as the winter storm system continues to create hazardous road conditions.
