Ottawa County, Michigan – The aftermath of a massive 100-vehicle pileup on a snowy Michigan interstate left motorists and first responders stunned, as twisted cars and jackknifed semi-trucks littered the roadway following a chain-reaction crash on Sunday morning, Jan. 19.
The incident unfolded on Interstate 196, roughly 24 miles southwest of Grand Rapids, during severe winter weather that dramatically reduced visibility and road traction.
Eyewitness Video Shows Chaotic Scene on I-196
Footage captured by a driver at the scene shows clusters of heavily damaged vehicles scattered across multiple lanes and along the highway shoulder. Some cars and semi-trucks appeared fused together from the force of impact.
“My camera cannot even see,” the man filming can be heard saying as he narrates the unfolding chaos. “That guy’s had an accident. So, this guy stopped. I stopped. But these guys didn’t stop, could have stopped.”
As he continues recording, the driver explains how several semi-truck operators tried to brake and maneuver to avoid collisions, but slick conditions made it impossible for some to stop in time.
At one point, the man notices a passenger vehicle wedged between multiple semi-trucks and stops to help assist the people trapped inside.
Crash Shut Down Major Highway Stretch for Hours
According to the Ottawa County Sheriff’s Office, the pileup began shortly before 10:20 a.m. local time. Authorities shut down both eastbound and westbound lanes of I-196 between Hudsonville and Zeeland, closing nearly a 10-mile stretch of highway for several hours.
Officials confirmed that approximately 10 people suffered non-life-threatening injuries. No fatalities were reported.
Details of the incident were later confirmed by USA TODAY, which cited county officials in its reporting on the crash.
Weather Warnings Issued Ahead of the Incident
Earlier that day, the National Weather Service office in Grand Rapids had warned residents to avoid travel, citing severe snowy weather, icy roads, and rapidly deteriorating driving conditions.
Snow and ice were moving across the Great Lakes region as part of a broader Arctic blast, creating whiteout conditions in some areas and making highways especially dangerous for high-speed travel.
Roadway Reopened, Investigation Ongoing
In a 6 p.m. update, Ottawa County Sheriff’s Capt. Jake Sparks said crews had cleared the wreckage and reopened the roadway. Investigators are still working to determine the exact cause of the pileup, though weather and visibility are believed to have played a major role.
Officials continue to urge drivers to heed winter weather warnings, reduce speed, and avoid unnecessary travel during severe conditions to prevent similar large-scale accidents.
