More than 100 vehicles slammed into one another in a chaotic chain-reaction crash on Interstate 196 Monday morning, shutting down the highway in both directions and sending at least a dozen people to hospitals with injuries.
The pileup started around 10:19 a.m. on the westbound lanes near 64th Avenue in Zeeland Township, Ottawa County, about 23 miles southwest of Grand Rapids. Authorities said icy roads and sudden whiteout conditions [1] from intense lake-effect snow bands triggered the mayhem, with visibility dropping to near zero in seconds. Deputies from the Ottawa County Sheriff’s Office responded to initial reports of slide-offs and jackknifed semi-trucks, but the situation quickly escalated as more vehicles piled in.
A major pileup involving 30–80+ vehicles (semis, tractor-trailers, cars) on I-196 Westbound, a few miles after the Byron exit near Zeeland, MI. Whiteout/near-blizzard conditions with extreme visibility loss. Expect injuries, search-and-rescue on scene, and ongoing road closures.… pic.twitter.com/CIqoqriXbu [2]
— Chicago & Midwest Storm Chasers (@ChicagoMWeather) January 19, 2026 [3]
An estimated 30 to 40 semi-trucks [4] were among the vehicles involved, along with numerous cars and other trucks, according to Michigan State Police. Drone footage captured the scene [5], showing twisted metal, overturned trailers, and scattered vehicles stretching across the snow-covered roadway, with emergency responders navigating the wreckage amid blowing snow.
“No fatalities have been reported, but we have multiple injuries,” said a spokesperson [6] for the Ottawa County Sheriff’s Office. Between nine and 12 people were transported to nearby hospitals for treatment of minor to moderate injuries, officials confirmed. First responders, including state troopers and local fire departments, worked through the hazardous conditions to extricate trapped drivers and provide aid.
Stranded motorists, many stuck in their vehicles for hours, were eventually bused to Hudsonville High School, which opened its cafeteria as a temporary warming center and drop-off site.
“We’re grateful for the school’s assistance in getting people out of the cold,” an Ottawa County Emergency Management official noted.
The closure affected a roughly 10-mile stretch of I-196 between Exit 62 in Hudsonville and Exit 55 in Zeeland, with both eastbound and westbound lanes shut down for cleanup and investigation. Authorities warned it could take eight hours or more to clear the debris and reopen the highway, as tow trucks and heavy equipment battled the ongoing storm to remove the mangled vehicles.
The National Weather Service had issued winter weather advisories for the area, forecasting heavy lake-effect snow and gusty winds that could reduce visibility and create slick surfaces. Michigan Department of Transportation cameras showed the freeway blanketed in snow, with plows struggling to keep up before the crash.
Drivers were urged to avoid the area entirely and seek alternate routes, such as M-6 or U.S. 131, while crews worked. Michigan State Police reminded motorists to slow down, increase following distances, and stay alert in winter weather, though no specific causes beyond the ice were cited in initial reports.
As of late afternoon, the investigation remained ongoing, with no charges announced. The exact number of vehicles could rise as responders fully assess the site.