Two people lost their lives in a fiery collision that closed westbound I-96 for several hours on Tuesday. The incident, involving a semi-truck, a pickup truck, and a box truck, unfolded in the early afternoon near Sunfield Highway in Orange Township. According to a statement obtained by FOX 17, the Ionia County Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene at approximately 3:15 pm.
The tragic sequence of events began as the semi-truck came to a stop in a merge zone, with the pickup truck slowing or stopping behind it. The box truck, failing to maintain an assured clear distance, struck the pickup from behind and pushed it into the semi-truck's trailer. Both the pickup and box truck quickly went up in flames, and the drivers, unable to escape, were pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the semi-truck was unharmed. The crash led to a shutdown that lasted until the Michigan Department of Transportation reported the reopening of the stretch of highway around 10:20 pm, as noted by FOX 17.
Witness Barry Bussell, who owns a nearby I-96 towing service, described the intensity of the scene in an interview with WZZM 13, saying, "The fire was so intense it was crazy." He responded with equipment to fight fires but realized the dire situation upon arrival. "I knew if someone was in there, they were going to be dead," Bussell recounted.
Following the accident, Michigan State Police emphasized the importance of attentive driving, especially when approaching construction zones. Michelle Robinson of MSP highlighted the role of distracted driving in the crash, telling WOOD TV about the urgency of maintaining awareness. "If you see you are coming up to a work zone, start changing your driving habits right when you see the first indication," Robinson urged. She also emphasized the danger of driving too close to heavy trucks, which require longer distances to safely come to a stop.
