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A multi-vehicle pileup involving more than 100 vehicles paralyzed Interstate 196 near Hudsonville, Michigan, on Monday, leaving numerous people injured and dozens of drivers stranded, according to Ottawa County authorities. As of now, no fatalities have been reported.
According to initial reports, the accident occurred amid dangerous winter conditions, which caused sliding, low visibility, and the overturning of several semi-trucks. Authorities urged motorists to remain inside their vehicles while emergency crews work in the area.
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State and local officers arrived at the scene after receiving multiple distress calls regarding consecutive collisions along several stretches of the highway. Traffic came to a complete standstill in both directions, creating long lines and scenes of chaos.
Drone footage shows the scale of the accident, with cars, SUVs, and semi-trailers crashed into one another, some off the road and others blocking all lanes. Medical services treated the injured at the scene, while others were transported to nearby hospitals.
Clima extremo activa alertas por frío intenso y nevadas en varios estados
The accident is the latest impact of a massive winter storm moving across the country. The National Weather Service issued warnings for extremely low temperatures or possible winter storms in several states, from northern Minnesota extending south and east to Wisconsin, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New York.
A day earlier, snow was recorded even in parts of the Florida panhandle, and the extreme weather affected football games in Massachusetts and Chicago. Meteorologists warned on Monday of the possibility of sub-freezing temperatures for much of north-central Florida and southeastern Georgia overnight into Tuesday.
The Ottawa County Police in Michigan noted that several traffic accidents were recorded and that a large number of semi-trucks and vehicles had slid off the road. Stranded motorists were being transported by bus to Hudsonville High School, where they could call for help or arrange transportation.
Authorities anticipate that the highway will remain closed for several hours as part of the cleanup efforts.
One of the companies assisting in the removal of stranded cars, Grand Valley Towing, sent more than a dozen of its trucks to the crash site.
"We are trying to get as many vehicles off the road as quickly as possible so we can reopen the highway," said manager Jeff Westveld.
WITH INFORMATION FROM AP
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