Four Dead, Seventeen Injured In Fiery I-96 Pileup Near Webberville
In the late hours of Saturday night, a catastrophic accident occurred on westbound Interstate 96 near Webberville, Michigan, resulting in four fatalities and 17 injuries.
The accident took place shortly before midnight when a semi-truck collided with a lineup of vehicles stopped due to recent roadwork closures. This tragic incident has left authorities grappling with the details as they work to determine the chain of events and prevent further incidents on Michigan’s busy highways.
The collision occurred around 11:42 p.m. near the M-52 overpass, where traffic had been temporarily halted to allow Consumers Energy crews to install power lines. The Michigan State Police (MSP) confirmed that moments before the accident, they had reopened the expressway following the completion of the utility work.
However, traffic had not yet resumed full flow, leaving numerous vehicles stationary on the road. According to the MSP, the semi-truck driver—who had been traveling westbound—appears to have been unaware of the stopped vehicles ahead and was unable to stop in time to prevent the collision.
In a harrowing sequence of events, the semi-truck, which was in the left lane, slammed into over a dozen vehicles in the lineup, triggering a destructive pileup that engulfed multiple cars and the semi itself in flames.
Eyewitnesses reported that the impact was so intense that flames and thick plumes of smoke filled the air, causing visibility to drop drastically and creating a scene of chaos.
First responders arrived swiftly, mobilizing resources from across the area. Approximately 15 vehicles, including the semi-truck, were involved in the crash, with firefighters and emergency personnel working in a dangerous environment to assist survivors and contain the blaze.
Individuals injured in the accident were quickly transported to University of Michigan Sparrow and McLaren hospitals in Lansing, with medical teams on high alert to treat a range of injuries stemming from the pileup. Officials have not yet provided updates on the conditions of the injured but are closely monitoring their status.
The aftermath of the crash has led to the indefinite closure of both westbound and eastbound lanes on I-96, with authorities working to investigate the details of the incident thoroughly. State police have emphasized that a comprehensive investigation is underway, as they aim to understand what led to the accident and explore measures to enhance road safety in similar situations in the future.
As part of this investigation, the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) has announced plans to inspect the M-52 overpass bridge for any structural damage resulting from the fire and collision impact. MDOT engineers are expected to assess the overpass in the coming days, as the intense fire may have compromised the integrity of the bridge.
This incident underscores significant safety challenges on busy highways and highlights the potential hazards associated with temporary road closures, particularly on high-traffic expressways like I-96.
While power line installations are critical for infrastructure improvements, the tragedy has raised concerns about how such work zones are managed and the need for heightened awareness among drivers.
The Michigan State Police have also urged motorists to exercise increased caution when traveling through areas with temporary roadwork, especially during evening and night hours. The incident has prompted discussions around implementing more visible warning systems to alert drivers of upcoming stoppages or hazards on the road.
As the investigation unfolds, the families affected by this tragedy and the wider Lansing community are left mourning the loss of lives and praying for the recovery of the injured. The names of the deceased have not yet been released.
