Snow squall conditions caused a major crash on Interstate 75 in Detroit on Monday afternoon, involving dozens of vehicles, according to Michigan authorities.
The incident occurred on the northbound side of the freeway after the McNichols Road exit. State police said the scene may have resulted from several smaller collisions rather than a single large pile-up. The exact number of vehicles involved was not immediately clear. Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) cameras showed all northbound lanes blocked, though some traffic was moving slowly through a right-side exit lane. Diane Cross of MDOT said the disruption was likely to continue for much of the day.
Emerging: 40+ vehicle pileup reported on I-75 between 6 Mile and 8 Mile in Detroit, Michigan amid fast-moving snow squall; injuries unclear. pic.twitter.com/kbnL75h0Pn
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"Some of the semis may have struggled, some of the cars may have struggled, whatever it is this is probably going to last the majority of the day," she told Detroit's FOX 2 in a phone interview. "At the moment we have northbound 75 closed at McNichols. Don't be surprised if we move that back to the Davison so that traffic can move freeway to freeway."
Cross said specialised towing vehicles would be required to remove the semi-trucks from the scene.
Emergency medical services and Michigan State Police were deployed to determine the cause of the crash.
MDOT said the left shoulder, left lane, right-centre lane, right lane and right shoulder were all blocked, with traffic backing up for miles. Officials estimated that at least 20 vehicles were involved, though that number could rise.
Road conditions across the region have been hazardous throughout the day due to an active winter weather system, with strong winds and blinding snow squalls affecting visibility.
Drivers were advised to consider alternative routes, including westbound M-10 and Woodward Avenue.
