A significant traffic incident occurred on Monday involving a massive pileup of approximately 100 vehicles, including multiple jackknifed semi trucks, on both directions of I-196. The accident began shortly after 10:20 a.m. and rapidly escalated, prompting complete closures of the highway by 12:20 p.m., as reported by the Ottawa County Sheriff’s Office (OCSO).
The pileup, which spanned from 32nd Avenue to 64th Street on westbound I-196, resulted in the use of buses from Hudsonville High School and Max Transit to assist stranded motorists. Those affected by the crash are being transported to Hudsonville High School, as harsh weather conditions persist in the area. Wind gusts reaching up to 40 mph combined with snow accumulation of six to 12 inches have contributed to dangerous driving conditions.
Early assessments indicate that most incidents involve minor collisions, slide-offs, and non-life-threatening injuries, according to the Ottawa County dispatchers. At this time, authorities have not reported any fatalities, although the full extent of injuries is yet to be determined.
Travelers are advised to steer clear of this section of I-196, as the cleanup efforts are expected to take several hours. The winter weather has prompted the National Weather Service to issue multiple advisories, including Winter Storm Warnings and Winter Weather Advisories, for much of West Michigan. Current weather conditions, characterized by strong winds and lake effect snow showers, are creating hazardous whiteout conditions, making travel inadvisable.
As crews work to clear the roadway, it is a reminder of the importance of safety during severe winter weather and the need for caution on the roads.