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By Anna Skinner and Jason Lemon
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Michigan's 1-96 is shut down in both directions between Zeeland and Hudsonville after a pileup involving more than 100 vehicles amid winter weather.
Captain Jake Sparks with the Ottawa County Sheriff's Office told Newsweek that there have been no fatalities, and nine injured people have been transported to area hospitals. Vehicles involved include cars, semi-trucks and tractor-trailers. It remains unclear when the interstate will reopen.
"Stranded motorists have been transported from scene via bus and about 50% of the cars are cleared. Estimated well over 100 total vehicles so far," Sparks told Newsweek.
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The massive wreck comes as Michigan remains under some form of winter weather alert from the National Weather Service. Winter impacts are widespread, prompting winter storm warnings, winter weather advisories, and cold weather advisories, among others, to be issued. In a forecast on Monday, the NWS office in Grand Rapids, which issues forecasts for the Hudsonville area, warned of heavy, blowing snow that could cause whiteout conditions.
"Visibilities may drop below 1/4 mile due to falling and blowing snow. Whiteout conditions are expected and will make travel treacherous and potentially life-threatening," the warning said. "If travel is absolutely necessary, drive with extreme caution. Consider taking a winter storm kit along with you, including such items as tire chains, booster cables, flashlight, shovel, blankets and extra clothing. Also take water, a first aid kit, and anything else that would help you survive in case you become stranded."
Drone footage and photos of the pileup were shared on social media on Monday after the major crash.
"Severe weather and poor road conditions can quickly lead to large scale incidents like this multi-vehicle pileup," Michigan State Police posted on X. "Preparedness starts before you travel by checking forecasts, planning alternate routes, carrying emergency supplies, and knowing when to delay or cancel a trip. Prepared drivers help reduce emergencies, protect responders, and keep critical resources available when they’re needed most."
Earlier in the day, the Ottawa County Road Commission warned of winter storm-related impacts in a Facebook post and provided a safety list for motorists to follow.
"With blowing and drifting snow continuing, OCRC crews are concentrating efforts on the highest-volume roadways first. State and county primary roads remain the top priority, with progress into local roads as conditions allow," the post said.
The list included reducing speed and allowing extra travel time, watching for sudden drops in visibility, leaving plenty of room around plow trucks with flashing lights, and using headlights at all times.
"When visibility is limited, avoiding unnecessary travel helps protect both drivers and our plow operators," the post said.
Dangerous travel conditions are currently being felt elsewhere in the U.S. as well, with widespread snow squall warnings issued across Pennsylvania and New York on Monday afternoon.
"Heavy lake-effect and lake-enhanced snow will persist downwind of the Great Lakes and produce some whiteout conditions that could cause difficult travel conditions," NWS said in a Monday forecast.
Update 1/19/26, 1:57 p.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information.
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