(HUDSONVILLE) - More than 100 vehicles smashed into each other or slid off an interstate in Michigan Monday as snow fueled by the Great Lakes blanketed the state.
The massive pileup prompted the Michigan State Police to close both directions of Interstate 196 Monday morning just southwest of Grand Rapids while officials worked to remove all the vehicles, including more than 30 semis. MSP says there were numerous injuries, but no deaths had been reported.
One of the drivers, Pedro Mata Jr. said he could barely see the cars in front of him as the snow blew across the road while driving 20-25 MPH before the crash. He was able to stop his pickup safely, but then decided to pull his truck off the road into the median to avoid being hit from behind.
The crash is just the latest impact of the major winter storm moving across the country. The National Weather Service issued warnings about either extremely cold temperatures or the potential for winter storms across several states starting in northern Minnesota and stretching south and east into Wisconsin, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania and New York.
The Ottawa County Sheriff's Office says multiple crashes and jack-knifed semis were reported along with numerous cars that slid off the road. Stranded motorists were being bused to Hudsonville High School, where they could call for help or arrange a ride.