4 killed, 17 others badly hurt in 15-vehicle pileup on I-96, state police say - mlive.com

Michigan State Police are investigating after four people were killed and 17 others were seriously injured in a massive crash on I-96 near M-52 in Ingham County. (MLive File Photo)Kaytie Boomer | MLive.com

INGHAM COUNTY, MI – State police are investigating after four people died Saturday night and 17 others were hospitalized in a massive pileup crash.

The aftermath of the crash will keep a portion of eastbound I-96 closed indefinitely, Michigan State Police said.

Drivers should expect closures on westbound I-96 for an unknown period of time on Sunday, Nov. 3, because of potential structural damage on the overpass at M-52.

The incident unfolded around 11:42 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 2, as troopers assisted DTE Energy string powerlines on I-96 near M-52 in Ingham County. During that time, the highway was closed for a brief period, police noted.

Police reopened the highway after completing westbound I-96 at M-52. At that time, numerous vehicles were stopped on the road.

A semi-truck with a trailer attached was westbound on I-96 and coming up on the stopped traffic when police said the driver didn’t see the backup and couldn’t stop. The semi-truck was in the left lane and struck numerous vehicles, police said.

The impact caused the semi-truck and several other vehicles to catch fire. Police believe there were 15 vehicles involved in the crash.

Four people were killed in the crash and 17 others were taken by ambulances to area hospital with serious injuries.

The Northview Band Boosters said buses bringing students and spectators back from state marching band finals at Ford Field in Detroit were behind the crash and had to be rerouted.

The booster club posted on Facebook that no students or parents were injured in the crash. However, one of the band’s trailers was damaged.

Michigan Department of Transportation will be inspecting the bridge.

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