More than 100 vehicles were involved in a massive car accident on Monday, January 19, on a highway in the US state of Michigan during a severe snowstorm. Due to the heavy snow and extremely low visibility, several cars collided in the chain or skidded off the road. The vehicles also include more than 30 heavy-duty trucks.
Video Source X / Silent Politics
Michigan State Police completely shut down both directions of traffic in the area southwest of Grand Rapids to allow emergency crews and towing companies to attend. The authorities announced that there are many injured. No deaths have been reported, ABC News reports.
A person in the area, Pedro Mata Jr., said he could barely see the cars in front of him because of the blizzard as he was traveling 32-40 km/h before the impact. He was able to stop safely, then pulled his truck into the median to avoid being hit from behind.
“It was a bit scary hearing all the banging behind me. I could see what was in front of me, but I couldn't clearly make out what was going on behind me,” Mata said.
Michigan State Police completely shut down both directions of traffic. PHOTO: X/@silentpolitics1
The stranded drivers were evacuated and bussed to a nearby educational facility, where they received assistance and were able to contact relatives. According to officials, operations to clear and clear the road could take several hours.
The accident is the latest effect of the snowstorm that is crossing the United States. The National Weather Service has issued severe cold or snow warnings for several states, from northern Minnesota to the south and east in Wisconsin, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania and New York.
The authorities have estimated that the road will remain closed for several hours, during the clearance operations.
One of the companies involved in towing vehicles sent more than a dozen machines to the scene of the accident. Several towing companies intervened in extremely cold conditions.
“We're trying to get as many vehicles out of there as quickly as possible so we can reopen the road,” said the company manager.
