3 dead in 40-vehicle pileup on I-96 in Michigan

Updated Dec 11, 2016
(Photo: John Fowler on Twitter)(Photo: John Fowler on Twitter)

Michigan State Police say three people are dead in a crash involving some 40 vehicles — including at least one tractor trailer — on Interstate 96 near Fowlerville, Michigan, which is between Detroit and Lansing.

Media reports say the crash occurred in the westbound lanes between the Williamston and Okemos exits at about 9:30 a.m. today. Travel was restricted in all lanes for a while, but eastbound lanes have been reopened. As of 3:19 p.m. the westbound lanes were still closed, according to the Michigan Department of Transportation

The pile-up occurred as snow was falling, causing a whiteout. The snow then froze on the highway causing dangerous driving conditions.

The Detroit Free Press reports: “One semi-truck was jackknifed across most of the lanes of I-96. About a dozen cars and trucks were in the ditches of the median and shoulder of the road. Several dozen more vehicles were smashed but had been able to pull off on the side of the road.”

The identities of those killed in the crash have yet to be released.