Michigan State Police confirmed that the pileup involved passenger cars, pickup trucks, and more than 30 semi-trailer trucks, several of which jackknifed or slid off the roadway. While multiple people sustained injuries, officials said no fatalities had been reported as of Monday evening.
According to police, the crash unfolded as heavy snowfall, strong winds, and blowing snow reduced visibility to near zero. Vehicles traveling at low speeds were unable to see stalled traffic ahead, leading to successive collisions across multiple lanes. Emergency responders attempting to reach the site also became stuck as snow continued to accumulate.
“Visibility dropped suddenly, and drivers had little to no warning,” a state police official said, adding that the incident stretched across a significant portion of the interstate.
Eyewitnesses described chaotic scenes as vehicles collided one after another. A pickup truck driver told Fox News that he was driving at around 20 to 25 miles per hour when he managed to stop, but could hear repeated crashes behind him. “You could hear the impacts ą¤²ą¤ą¤¾ą¤¤ą¤¾ą¤°. What was happening behind was terrifying because nothing was visible,” he said.
As the storm intensified, hundreds of vehicles remained immobilized on the highway, with some cars nearly buried under snow. Due to safety concerns, local authorities coordinated with school officials to use Hudsonville High School as a temporary shelter. Stranded motorists were transported by buses, where they were able to warm up, contact family members, and arrange onward travel.
The Ottawa County Sheriff’s Office reported multiple accidents throughout the region, noting that hazardous road conditions extended beyond Interstate 196. Snowplows and recovery crews were deployed, but progress was slow due to continuous snowfall and icy surfaces.
The National Weather Service said the storm was part of a broader system affecting several US states, from northern Minnesota to New York. Officials warned that extreme cold and snow would continue to disrupt travel, with temperatures expected to plunge in parts of the Midwest and southeastern states.
Authorities cautioned that Interstate 196 could remain closed for several hours as crews work to clear wreckage, remove disabled vehicles, and treat icy roads. Motorists were advised to avoid non-essential travel and monitor official updates until conditions improve.
