A tragic accident on US-23 in Ann Arbor led to a significant closure of the freeway in both directions between Nixon Road and Pontiac Trail on Friday. The incident resulted in one fatality and injuries to two others. After several hours of disruption, the freeway has now been reopened.
Eyewitness accounts describe the crash as severe, with a semitruck apparently crossing the median, colliding with, and dragging an SUV into the nearby woods. The collision caused debris to scatter and the truck’s load to spill onto the northbound lanes, hitting additional vehicles and sparking a massive traffic jam.
Harold Hosking, who witnessed the incident, described the scene, stating, “It was very violent. There was a lot of dirt and debris.” He recounted how the semitruck veered into oncoming traffic before coming to a halt off the righthand shoulder of the northbound lane.
Although full details of what led to the crash have not yet been released, the Michigan Department of Transportation confirmed that the freeway was cleared and traffic resumed late Friday night.
The incident is a somber reminder of the unpredictability of road safety and highlights the need for vigilance while driving. As authorities investigate this tragic event, the thoughts of the community are with those affected by the crash.