A stretch of Interstate 196 in western Michigan has reopened after more than 100 vehicles were caught up in a massive pileup on Monday. Local reports say as many as 12 people were injured, but no deaths were reported.
The collisions and slide-offs shut down I-196 in both directions between Hudsonville and Zeeland for more than seven hours. Drivers were advised to avoid the area.
Pedro Mata Jr. told the Associated Press 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.
"It was a little scary just listening to everything, the bangs and booms behind you. I saw what was in front of me. I couldn't see what was behind me exactly," Mata said.
The first collisions were reported around 10:19 a.m. local time and as many as 40 semitrailers were involved.
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Buses from Hudsonville High School and Max Transit were taking stranded drivers from the scene to Hudsonville High School, according toOttawa County Emergency Management.
The agency advised that people stranded on the highway should stay inside their vehicles until a bus was available.
Intense lake-effect snow was ongoing across the region andweather.commeteorologist Rob Shackelford explained that, "Along with snowfall, gusts approaching 40 mph are creating near-blizzard conditions."
Some parts of the region picked up as much as 12 inches of snow. A winter storm warning expired Tuesday morning, but more light snow will redevelop after midnight, continuing into Wednesday.
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Michigan State Police responded to the crash scene along with Ottawa County sheriff's deputies and officers from the Hudsonville and Zeeland police departments.
