A massive multi-vehicle pileup Monday involving more than 100 vehicles occurred on Interstate 196 in western Michigan, near Hudsonville and Zeeland Township (southwest of Grand Rapids).
The incident happened amid heavy lake-effect snow, whiteout conditions, icy roads, and strong winds from an ongoing winter storm.
The chain-reaction crashes began around 10:19–10:20 a.m., starting with numerous slide-offs, jackknifed semi-trucks, and multiple collisions that quickly escalated. Authorities estimate 30–40 semi-trucks were involved, along with many passenger vehicles.
Here'd droneview of the staggering aftermath from drone footage and on-scene photos, showing the scale of the wreckage across the highway:
Holy crap. https://t.co/rytGD5oHLD
— Clay Travis (@ClayTravis) January 19, 2026
These images capture the extensive backups, scattered vehicles, and challenging conditions that made the scene look chaotic.Key details:Injuries — Roughly 9–12 people suffered minor injuries (no fatalities reported).
Road impact — Both directions of I-196 were closed for miles (between exits around 32nd Avenue and 64th Avenue), stranding drivers for hours. Emergency crews bused some stranded people to a nearby school for safety.
Cause — Primarily attributed to poor visibility, slippery roads, and sudden whiteout conditions from the lake-effect snow bands.
The highway was expected to take hours (or longer) to fully clear, with officials urging drivers to avoid the area and stay home if possible during the storm.
This is a developing situation from today—conditions in the region remain hazardous, so anyone in or near western Michigan should check local updates from Michigan State Police or MDOT for the latest road status.