3 killed in 40-Car Michigan Pileup on Icy Roads

3 individuals were killed after slippery roads caused an enormous pileup including 30 to 40 cars on Interstate 96 in Michigan Thursday early morning.

“Bands of lake-effect snow are streaming through the Great Lakes region as arctic air streams over the fairly warmer lake waters,” stated meteorologist Chris Dolce. “Those snow squalls can result in presence that deteriorates rapidly, along with slick roadways.”

The Livingston County Sheriff validated to the Livingston Daily that a minimum of three individuals were killed in the crash, including that the incident happened around 9:30 a.m. local time.

MSP Sgt. Jeff Munoz informed CBS Detroit the third death is a driver who had to be liberated from a vehicle. He said numerous people were hurt; many of them were taken to local medical facility for treatment.

One semi-truck was jack-knifed throughout most of the lanes of I-96, stated Kathleen Gray who was on the roadway at the time. About a dozen of automobiles were in the ditches of the median and shoulder of the road. Few dozen more vehicles were smashed however had been able to make it to the side of the road.

Gray stated she heard “the most terrifying sounds” she ever heard as a semi truck’s tires skidded on the ice behind her. She had nowhere to go since traffic was at a stand-still.

Officials have closed down both westbound and eastbound lanes, Fox 47 reports; the eastbound closure is located at M-52, and westbound is at Fowlerville Road.

Michigan State Police Lt. Mike Shaw informed CBS Detroit there were 8 more minor crashes along I-696 due to individuals driving too quick for the conditions.