WALKER, Mich. (WOOD) — Lake-effect snow blowing in with the Arctic blast made for messy street situations Monday, inflicting various crashes on West Michigan roads, together with a lethal crash on a Grand Rapids freeway involving a semi.
Simply earlier than 9:20 p.m., Information 8 noticed a jackknifed semi-truck on US-131 close to Leonard Road in Grand Rapids. At the least one individual has died within the crash, in accordance with Michigan State Police.
It’s not clear but what brought about the crash or what number of autos have been concerned. Northbound US-131 is down to 1 lane within the space, MSP stated. The westbound I-196 ramp to northbound US-131 is closed, in accordance with the Michigan Division of Transportation.
A Information 8 skycam captured a jackknifed semi-truck on US-131 close to Leonard Road in Grand Rapids. (Jan. 20, 2025)
A Information 8 skycam captured a jackknifed semi-truck on US-131 close to Leonard Road in Grand Rapids. (Jan. 20, 2025)
Earlier within the day, round 10:20 a.m., troopers with the Michigan State Police have been despatched to eastbound I-96 close to Alpine Avenue in Walker for a crash. MSP stated about 20 autos, together with two semi-trucks have been concerned. A Michigan Division of Transportation digicam confirmed one semi overturned.
The scene of a crash on I-96 in Walker on Jan. 20, 2025.
A nonetheless body from a Michigan Division of Transportation digicam of a crash on I-96 in Walker on Jan. 20, 2025.
A Information 8 crew on the scene has seen a number of ambulances, however MSP stated there have been no critical accidents.
Video: Hearth truck hit whereas responding to I-94 crash close to Kalamazoo
On northbound US-131 south of Plainwell, a semi-truck jackknifed in a crash. A Information 8 crew on the scene might see emergency crews and a tow truck.
It is unclear if anybody was harm to what led as much as the crash.
The scene of a crash on northbound US-131 south of Plainwell on Jan. 20, 2025.
Round 11:30 a.m. on eastbound I-196, a pickup truck slid below a semi-truck. Fifteen autos have been concerned within the crash and extra went right into a ditch of keep away from it. Deputies say the crash was attributable to blowing snow, whiteout situations and “near zero visibility.”
The 55-year-old driver, a Freeport man, was hospitalized with accidents that weren’t life-threatening, in accordance with the Ottawa County Sheriff’s Workplace. Two different individuals have been handled on the scene for minor accidents, in accordance with deputies.
As a result of the street was fully blocked, eastbound I-196 was closed between exists 55 and 62 till about 3:30 p.m.
One truck driver making his approach south by the Kalamazoo space and heading to Texas stated at instances, the whiteout situations seemed like fog and clear roads can look deceiving.
“A while ago, we were up north and a bit more dense traffic and so the drive was slower because the road looks easy but it’s a bit dangerous and we can slide off,” Omar Ponce informed Information 8 in Spanish.
MSP CRUISERS HIT
The MSP Grand Rapids Submit stated that as of midday, two of its cruisers had been hit whereas stopped to assist drivers on snowy roads: one in Muskegon County and the opposite on US-131 at West River Drive close to Grand Rapids.
Nobody was harm within the crashes, police stated.
The injury after a cruiser was hit whereas serving to drivers on southbound US-131 at West River Drive close to Grand Rapids on Jan. 20, 2025. (Courtesy Michigan State Police)
The injury after a cruiser was hit whereas serving to drivers on southbound US-131 at West River Drive close to Grand Rapids on Jan. 20, 2025. (Courtesy Michigan State Police)
“Additional personnel have been called in to assist on the crashes but we need you to do your part by slowing down and allow extra space between you and the vehicles in front of you,” MSP wrote.
HIGHWAY CLOSURES
The Kent County Sheriff’s Workplace stated that between 7 a.m. and somewhat earlier than 1 p.m. Monday, it had responded to 34 property injury crashes, 4 private harm crashes, 4 crashes with unknown accidents and 12 calls to assist drivers. Deputies reported intermittent whiteout situations.
The division stated it had helped MSP reply to “several” crashes within the county, “preliminarily in US-131.” It suggested individuals to “avoid the highways if possible.”
Monday night, deputies stated “conditions and visibility are continuing to worsen” and stated various crashes had been reported on I-196.
The Grand Rapids Police Division stated it had been responding to crashes all day, too.
In a social media submit, MSP warned of icy roads and blowing snow limiting visibility. It reminded drivers that with temperatures so low, street salt is much less efficient than standard.
The MDOT’s X accounts for the West and Southwest areas have been updating drivers on various crashes inflicting intermittent freeway closures, together with on I-196 after Byron Highway in Ottawa County, US-31 close to Muskegon and northbound I-196 after Covert.
DRIVING SAFETY
MSP Lt. Michelle Robinson warned drivers to decelerate and permit loads of area between automobiles. Low visibility is available in waves, she stated.
“There’s a lot of motorists who do not have their headlights on. It’s very very difficult to see you in these whiteout conditions. So we’re asking everybody, turn your headlights on, slow your speeds down and use caution on the roadways,” stated MSP Lt. Michelle Robinson.
For those who do occur to get caught in a multi-car backup, go off the roadway or are concerned in a crash, Robinson stated to remain in your automobile.
“Stay with your vehicle. If you find yourself in a ditch or in an emergency situation, call 911. Know your location so that it’s easier for law enforcement and first responders to get to you,” she said. “If you don’t have to go out, stay home where it’s warm.”
She additionally reminded drivers of Michigan’s Transfer Over Legislation, which says drivers should decelerate to no less than 10 mph below the posted pace restrict and transfer to an open lane for police, hearth, rescue, ambulance or street service autos which are stopped on the street with flashing, rotating or oscillating lights on.
MSP additionally suggested drivers to maintain an emergency package of their automotive, together with blankets, a cellphone charger and jumper cables.
—Information 8’s Duncan MacLean contributed to this report.
