UPDATE 3/19 3:48 p.m.
PORTLAND, Mich. (AP) — An interstate highway stretch in central Michigan has reopened following a massive pileup involving 150 vehicles in whiteout conditions that left 16 people hospitalized.
Interstate 96 in Ionia County reopened about 10 p.m. Saturday, about five hours after authorities reported the pileup in the eastbound lanes near Portland, a city more than 100 miles (160 kilometers) northwest of Detroit and roughly halfway between Lansing and Grand Rapids.
Michigan State Police officials said they closed both eastbound and westbound lanes just after 5 p.m. on Saturday following the pileup.
“Thankfully it appears that there are no serious injuries,” the MSP Sixth District in Grand Rapids tweeted. It tweeted Sunday afternoon that 16 people were taken to a hospital.
A total of 150 vehicles were involved while 84 were damaged and 66 were not damaged after slideoffs, the later tweet said.
Officials posted photos of traffic backed up along the frigid roads after the crash.
3/18 11:36 p.m.
LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Up to 100 vehicles were involved in a massive pileup on Interstate 96 during white-out conditions, Michigan police said.
There were reports of injuries that do not appear to be serious, police said on Twitter. Early reports said 50 to 100 vehicles were in the Saturday crash near Portland, a city over 100 miles (over 161 kilometers) northwest of Detroit.
Officials posted photos of cars backed up along the frigid roads after the crash and said part of the interstate was closed.
The weather has since cleared, police said, though it’s unknown when the interstate will reopen.
