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Photo of I-94 accidents Saturday provided by Van Buren County police (February 2, 2013) |
I-94 was closed for hours Saturday from Coloma to Van Buren, Michigan due to icy road conditions. It has since reopened.
The following release -- concerning the photo above and to the sides in "Related Content" -- was issued around 4:30 p.m. Saturday:
Sheriff Dale R. Gribler reports that Van Buren County Sheriff Deputies along with Michigan State Troopers policed dozens of passenger vehicle and semi (tractor trailer unit) property damage crashes, this on the I-94 Eastbound travel lanes near the Hartford exit (46 mile marker or CR 687). The cause of the crash was due to vehicles traveling too fast, and to close to one another. These crashes occurred during near white out conditions which was also making the road surface snow covered and very slippery. No injuries were reported in any of these crashes. I-94 Eastbound traffic had to be detoured at the Watervliet exit for approximately two hours while the multiple crashes were investigated and the vehicles removed from the roadway by several area wrecker services which were called to the scene.
Drivers are reminded also about the following:
257.653a Stationary emergency vehicle giving visual signal; duty of approaching vehicle to exhibit due care and caution; violation; penalty.
Sec. 653a.
(1) Upon approaching and passing a stationary authorized emergency vehicle that is giving a visual signal by means of flashing, rotating, or oscillating red, blue, or white lights as permitted by section 698, the driver of an approaching vehicle shall exhibit due care and caution, as required under the following:
(a) On any public roadway with at least 2 adjacent lanes proceeding in the same direction of the stationary authorized emergency vehicle, the driver of the approaching vehicle shall proceed with caution and yield the right-of-way by moving into a lane at least 1 moving lane or 2 vehicle widths apart from the stationary authorized emergency vehicle, unless directed otherwise by a police officer. If movement to an adjacent lane or 2 vehicle widths apart is not possible due to weather, road conditions, or the immediate presence of vehicular or pedestrian traffic in parallel moving lanes, the driver of the approaching vehicle shall proceed as required in subdivision (b).
(b) On any public roadway that does not have at least 2 adjacent lanes proceeding in the same direction as the stationary authorized emergency vehicle, or if the movement by the driver of the vehicle into an adjacent lane or 2 vehicle widths apart is not possible as described in subdivision (a), the approaching vehicle shall reduce and maintain a safe speed for weather, road conditions, and vehicular or pedestrian traffic and proceed with due care and caution, or as directed by a police officer.
(2) Except as provided in subsections (3) and (4), a person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not more than $500.00 or imprisonment for not more than 90 days, or both.
(3) A person who violates this section and causes injury to a police officer, firefighter, or other emergency response personnel in the immediate area of the stationary authorized emergency vehicle is guilty of a felony punishable by a fine of not more than $1,000.00 or imprisonment for not more than 2 years, or both.
(4) A person who violates this section and causes death to a police officer, firefighter, or other emergency response personnel in the immediate area of the stationary authorized emergency vehicle is guilty of a felony punishable by a fine of not more than $7,500.00 or by imprisonment for not more than 15 years, or both.
