This morning, tragedy struck on eastbound Interstate 96 at Beck Road as two vehicles were involved in a fatal collision, resulting in the deaths of both drivers; the incident caused a significant interruption of traffic in the area. Local 4 reported that the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) announced the freeway closure at 2:15 a.m., and the site wasn't cleared for reopening until around 8:45 a.m.
The sequence of events began when one vehicle, sidelined by what is suspected to be a tire or mechanical issue, was hit by another vehicle that reportedly could not stop in time, according to an investigation by the Novi Police Department, as detailed by CBS News Detroit; both vehicles were then engulfed in flames and the drivers did not survive the aftermath of the crash.
Additional traffic complications arose with a separate accident reported by FOX 2 Detroit that occurred earlier on eastbound I-96 near Milford Road at around 7:15 a.m., which exacerbated the already difficult circumstances faced by drivers due to a dense fog advisory that reduced visibility and lasted until 9 a.m.
In response to the fatal incident and the adverse weather conditions, the Michigan State Police, Second District, advised caution, stating, "Expect delays," and emphasizing "Make sure you slow down and really increase your following distance," in a statement captured by CBS News Detroit. Meanwhile, following the crash, the Novi Police Department corroborated the substantial efforts required to clean the freeway due to debris and fuel, which contributed to the lengthy road closure, as they worked tirelessly to clear the wreckage and conduct their investigation.
