Detroit Free PressGALESBURG, Mich. — A three-mile radius has been evacuated around a massive deadly pileup on I-94 as four semis burn, including one with hazardous material and another hauling fireworks.
Both directions of I-94 are closed in eastern Kalamazoo County due to the wreck involving more than 100 vehicles.
Michigan State Police say one person is dead and multiple others are injured. People who aren’t injured were taken to warming centers, according to State Police Inspector Tracey McAndrew.
“Hazmat officials believe that hazardous material that was on scene is probably entirely burned off by now, so what we’re asking for now is for shelter in place, where anyone within one mile of the crash scene, we’re just asking them if they have not evacuated to stay inside,” said Michigan State Police Lieutenant Rick Pazder.
Law enforcement described the scene as a “very chaotic situation.” Drivers are advised to avoid the area as I-94 will be closed for much of the afternoon.
Some pictures from the 94 crash. Highway is shut down from MM 85-92. Multiple fatalities. Semi truck is on fire. pic.twitter.com/tj5hPPX2hd
— Jessica Wheeler-Ponton (@jessicawheeler3) January 9, 2015
Below is a news release from Michigan State Police:
On 1-9-15, at approximately 10:07 A.M., first responders responded to E/B I-94 for a multiple vehicle/semi crash. Currently there are approximately 50-70 vehicles involved in the crash on both the E/B and W/B sides of the freeway. At this point, we are aware of 4 semi trucks and 2 cars that are on fire. One of the semi trucks on fire is hauling hazardous material and local Hazmat Officials are on scene monitoring the situation. There is also another semi truck hauling approximately 40 lbs of fireworks beside a semi that is on fire, however, at this time, this semi is not on fire. Emergency crews are working to extract this semi to resolve any further issues, and fire crews are working to put out the fires.
Current information is that we have one confirmed fatality, however, others are unknown.
The State Emergency Operations Center is operational and will be monitoring and coordinating this event. Bronson Methodist Hospital is coordinating patient care for any injured at this point.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
http://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/2015/01/09/i-94-pileup-kalamazoo-county/21500281/