Traffic jam with 60 cars and 40 trucks scares but leaves no one dead in the US

A large pileup involving more than a hundred vehicles blocked the I-196 highway, in the state of Michigan (USA), on Monday (19). The accident was triggered by a severe winter storm that drastically reduced visibility and froze the runway. Despite the extent of the collision, which involved between 30 and 40 cargo trucks, authorities confirmed that there were no deaths reported.

Aerial images captured by drones reveal the dimension of the impact, with dozens of trucks crossing the road and passenger cars thrown into the side ditches. According to local police, only 12 people were sent to hospitals, all with minor injuries, a toll considered surprising given the scene of destruction.

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Low speed avoided tragedy

The absence of deaths was attributed, paradoxically, to the weather conditions themselves. Due to the snow and ice, the traffic flow at the time of the collisions operated at a reduced average speed, ranging between 30 and 50 km/h. This slow pace allowed the safety structures of the vehicles to absorb the impacts without causing fatal damage to the occupants.

The rescue, however, was complex. Weather conditions made it difficult for emergency teams to reach the critical points, which took about 45 minutes to reach the critical points. In some stretches, firefighters and police had to use snowmobiles to reach drivers trapped in the hardware or isolated by the blockade.

Evacuation logistics

The I-196 highway was completely closed in both directions, between exits 62 and 55, for the removal of the debris. To prevent uninjured drivers from suffering hypothermia waiting on the road, authorities mobilized school buses from the region.

Those involved were transported to the cafeteria of Hudsonville High School, which functioned as a screening and reception center. At the site, the victims received food and heating while waiting for the rescue of family members, since the release of the lane required a prolonged operation of winches to remove the heavy vehicles.