A semi-truck smashed into several vehicles stopped in traffic in Michigan over the weekend, killing four people and injuring many more.
On Saturday, Nov. 2, at 11:42 p.m. local time on Interstate 96 at the Michigan 52 highway, “numerous vehicles were stopped on the expressway” due to power line construction, according to the Michigan State Police (MSP) First District on X.
“The troopers [from the Lansing and Brighton Post] had just completed a shutdown on westbound I-96 at M-52 on the overpass and had just reopened the expressway,” the Post’s MSP stated.
“A semi-truck with a trailer was traveling westbound on the expressway when it approached the stalled traffic. The semi-truck driver appeared to have missed the backup and was unable to stop in time, according to the statement.
“The semi-truck was in the left lane of traffic and collided with many vehicles. According to authorities, the semi-truck and several other vehicles caught fire as a result of the incident.
In an additional update posted on X on Sunday, Nov. 3, police stated that 17 “drivers and occupants of vehicles involved in the crash were taken to Sparrow and McLaren Hospital in Lansing.”
Police stated that a 29-year-old Carson City man driving a Ford F-150 pickup was killed in the incident. In addition, a 20-year-old girl, a 43-year-old female, and a 47-year-old guy from Lansing died.
“The victims were in a Chevy Trax and were related,” police reported.
The truck driver “was taken to University of Michigan Hospital in Ann Arbor for treatment of his injuries,” according to the MSP update, which also said the driver’s age and hometown were “unknown at this time.”
“Westbound Interstate 96 at M-52 will be closed indefinitely. Additionally, north and southbound M-52 is closed at the I-96 overpass until the bridge is assessed,” the MSP stated in the statement.
When reached by PEOPLE, the MSP provided no new details, and the Michigan Department of Transportation, which is evaluating the bridge, did not answer quickly.
Reference: 4 Killed, 17 Injured After Semi-Truck Crashes into Vehicles Stuck in Michigan Traffic