(No caption)
Chain-reaction smashups closed I-696 in Farmington Hills and Macomb County on Sunday afternoon as snow fell.
An accident estimated to involve at least 20 vehicles (above) blocked all lanes of I-696 westbound near Orchard Lake Road in Farmington Hills for about five hours, according to the Michigan Department of Transportation and Michigan State Police.
Crashes also shut the same freeway's westbound side at Hoover Road and eastbound lanes at Van Dyke.
"There have been no serious injuries reported," in those three mass crashes according to the state troopers' Metro South post. "Some drivers/passengers have been transported to local hospitals as a precaution," it tweets at 3:40 p.m.
"All of [the accidents] started from a driver going too fast and losing control or a driver driving too close to the car in front of them and not being able to stop," according to the troopers' Metro South post, which adds: "Slow down! Leave enough room between you and the car in front of you so you can safely stop without slamming on the brakes! Things happen fast out there! Leave room so you can react!"
A few hours later, in early evening, a driver involved in a crash on eastbound I-96 near Grand River Avenue was seriously injured aftrer getting out to check the damage. Another motorist pushed the victim's car into him or her, state police say.
A driver caught in the Oakland County backup on I-696 tweets:
In midst of multi-car pileup on I-696 east of Novi west of Orchard Lake in Farmington Hills area. Highway closed. Cars in front, to the side and behind me hit. But I’m in a bubble and so far safe. Avoid area. #whiteout #snow @wxyzdetroit pic.twitter.com/psE6lHwnHm
— Matthew Hutchison (@mhutchison) February 13, 2022
I-696 westbound in Farmington Hills (Photo: Matthew Hutchinson, via Fox 2 News)
