24 October 2024

Jessica Mathews / [email protected]

A multi-vehicle crash involving three trucks and a fuel spill closed I-275 during rush hour Wednesday and sent two people to the hospital.

The incident took place near Plymouth Road at around 16.15.

Michigan State Police said a preliminary investigation revealed that traffic in the right lane of northbound I-275 was stopped because the driver of a 71-year-old male semi from Howell failed to stop in time and rear-ended another semi. The second half was pushed into a passenger car, which was pushed into a minibus. A third half tried to avoid the second half but sidestepped him.

The at-fault driver and the driver of the passenger car were transported to a local hospital for treatment.

Northbound I-275 was closed under the overpass at Ford Road and Hines Drive due to a fuel spill.

The highway was finally reopened around 1:00 am.

“It is very important to leave adequate following distance between your vehicle and the vehicle in front of you,” said MSP First Lieutenant Mike Shaw. “It is the driver’s responsibility to make sure they can maintain control of their vehicle and stop safely.”