A devastating collision occurred on Interstate 96 near Webberville, late Saturday night, claiming the lives of four individuals and leaving 17 others grievously injured. Michigan State Police reported that a semi-truck slammed into a row of stationary vehicles following the completion of power line installations by DTE Energy crews. The westbound traffic had come to a halt because of the roadwork near the M-52 overpass, which had been closed earlier that evening and reopened just before the catastrophic event.
According to CBS Detroit, the semi-truck, heading westbound around 11:45 p.m., failed to recognize the backed-up traffic, leading to the fatal crash. "It appears the driver of the semitruck did not see the backup and could not stop his vehicle in time," police said in a statement. The driver of the truck was among those taken to the hospital, along with 17 others who sustained serious injuries during the incident.
Three of the deceased were Lansing residents—a 20-year-old woman, a 43-year-old woman, and a 47-year-old man—all related and traveling in a Chevy Trax. The fourth fatality was a 29-year-old man from Carson City, who was driving a Ford F-150 pickup. This information comes from Lansing State Journal, which also notes that the semi was in the left lane when it hit numerous vehicles, causing several, including the semi itself, to ignite in flames.
The aftermath of the collision led to significant concerns about the integrity of a overpass. The roadway has been closed indefinitely as the structure undergoes careful examination. DTE Energy spokesperson Colleen Rosso highlighted that such work is typically scheduled at night to minimize traffic disruption and emphasized that any signs or billboards related to the construction work fall under the jurisdiction of the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT), as reported by Lansing State Journal.
In a brief statement obtained by Lansing State Journal, Michigan State Police stated, "Westbound I-96 at M-52 will be closed for an indefinite period." Consequently, the eastbound lane of I-96 has also been shut down indefinitely due to potential overpass damage, contributing to significant delays and rerouting of traffic in the area.
