The cars slid off the road as heavy snowfall created carnage for drivers in the United States
More than 100 vehicles were involved in a massive pile-up triggered by severe snowfall in the United States, with cars skidding off the road amidst treacherous winter conditions.
The major collision occurred on Monday, 19 January, in Michigan following heavy snowfall across the state. Michigan State Police shut down Interstate 196 southwest of Grand Rapids on Monday morning due to the extensive pile-up, reports the Mirror..
Over 30 recovery trucks were deployed to clear the scene, with police confirming multiple injuries but fortunately no fatalities. Motorist Pedro Mata Jr described how visibility was severely reduced as snow swept across the carriageway, with vehicles ahead barely visible whilst travelling at 20-25mph prior to the collision.
He successfully brought his pickup to a halt but chose to move his vehicle onto the central reservation to avoid being struck from behind. Mata said: “It was a little scary just listening to everything, the bangs and booms behind you. I saw what was in front of me. I couldn’t see what was behind me exactly.”
Weather alerts have been issued nationwide as the winter storm continues to cause significant disruption. Storm warnings span multiple states, beginning in northern Minnesota and extending south and eastwards through Wisconsin, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania and New York.
Weather experts issued warnings that overnight temperatures on Monday would plummet below freezing across large parts of north-central Florida and southeast Georgia. In Michigan, the Ottawa County Sheriff’s office reported a surge in emergency calls regarding numerous collisions, with many vehicles sliding off icy roads.
Motorists found themselves stranded, with bus services deployed to transport them to Hudsonville High School, where they could arrange alternative transport. The affected road is expected to remain closed for several hours whilst recovery work continues.
Grand Valley Towing alone has dispatched more than a dozen lorries to assist with the operation, working alongside several other recovery firms to clear up the pile-up.
A manager from Grand Valley stated: “We’re trying to get as many vehicles out of there as quickly as possible, so we can get the road opened back up.”
