Posted on Fri, Nov 16, 2012 : 7:44 a.m.
Three-car crash sends 2 drivers to hospital, snarls I-94 traffic
By Cindy Heflin
A three-car crash sent two people to the hospital and created a miles-long traffic backup on Interstate 94 at U.S. 23 on the southeast side of Ann Arbor Friday morning.
The crash, which occurred about 6 a.m. just east of U.S. 23, had the westbound side of the freeway down to one lane for a while, said Pittsfield Township Fire Captain Greg Payeur.
Those lanes had been opened up by 7:30 a.m., he said, but there was still a residual backup on the freeway.
Huron Valley Ambulance took two of the drivers to St. Joseph Mercy Hospital with minor injuries, Payeur said. Firefighters had to cut one door off to free one of the drivers, from the wreckage.
Michigan State Police investigated the crash.
View crash 111612 in a larger map
Comments
jns131
Sat, Nov 17, 2012 : 6:52 p.m.
Thank you for letting me know now why I was 10 minutes late for work traveling back roads and glad that those were empty. With a one road closure (smart move on MDOT part) and this accident? They should have leveled out that one lane but did not. To blame is MDOT for that lane closure during rush hour. Shame on you MDOT. Wish I had known about this. Sucked. Made for another wonderful day to an already Murphys Law week.
Lynne
Sat, Nov 17, 2012 : 12:49 p.m.
We had to sit in this yesterday morning. Terrible traffic snarl, however I noticed 2 things. 1. The cars involved looked to have hit on similar sides as if someone had tried shoving them over. 2. There was less than a lane open as they had everyone driving on the side of the road. Driving in the far right lane would have busted a few tires on the road flares. Almost thought they were going to push everyone onto 23 north. This is just not a good intersection. From the 23 North merge entering 94 and people not paying attention.
Ann English
Sun, Nov 18, 2012 : 12:13 a.m.
I know, getting onto westbound I-94 from Huron Street or Michigan Avenue, to get into the middle lane of I-94 if I don't want to go north on US-23. Last Monday, when I was driving on northbound I-275, I thought I would have to move over a lane to my left to let someone in, but another driver honked, so I stayed in my lane and the driver entering I-275 slowed down to smoothly merge. On the way back from Livonia, I saw a vehicle miss an exit sign on southbound I-275, then quickly turn off the freeway and drive over the GRASS onto the exit ramp, but no collisions took place. There was an accident in the northbound lanes as I was coming back southbound. The weather that day was rainy and cloudy, but at least I wasn't driving the freeways in the dark.
OLDTIMER3
Sat, Nov 17, 2012 : 11:24 a.m.
There was a bad crash involving at least 3 vehicles in front of Meijers on Jackson rd on Wednesday about 4 pm that never made the news that I seen, wonder what happened there?
MRunner73
Fri, Nov 16, 2012 : 10:36 p.m.
Am always curious to know the cause of the accident. I usually assume texting as a real possibility. The freeway accident numbers are rising drastically, as of late.
OLDTIMER3
Sat, Nov 17, 2012 : 11:21 a.m.
Probably someone texting or on their computer!
PlateSpinner
Fri, Nov 16, 2012 : 6:18 p.m.
I was an ear-witness to this (it being dark and me being on my computer). 5:55am there were three separate sets of squealing tires and WHAMS! Emergency vehicles were quick to respond. Ambulances left shortly before 7am. Luckily, no one was seriously injured. What gets me is that right after the crashes occurred there were still cars traveling close to the speed limit (judging from their headlights) down that stretch of road before EMS got there.
PlateSpinner
Sat, Nov 17, 2012 : 7:26 p.m.
Not driving, Urban ....it happened in my backyard (well, I have a very large berm between house and highway). :) I was safely computing in my home and heard it happen before looking out the window to see the cars whizzing by and the EMS coming and going.
Urban Sombrero
Sat, Nov 17, 2012 : 4:36 a.m.
Wait, ear witness? On your computer? Please tell me you weren't driving.
elganned
Fri, Nov 16, 2012 : 4:23 p.m.
Wouldn't be surprised to learn that someone suddenly realized that the right hand Westbound lane there is 'exit only' to NB 23 and changed lanes without adequately looking. Stupid lane layout there. If you're not familiar with the interchange, it's easy to get caught in the wrong lane and find yourself NB on 23 without wanting to be there.
Edwin Johnson
Fri, Nov 16, 2012 : 3:42 p.m.
Always been a bad intersection......
StopCrying
Fri, Nov 16, 2012 : 3:18 p.m.
I saw a nasty accident and subsequent police chase when leaving the bar last night near state st. Any word on this incident a2.com?
StopCrying
Fri, Nov 16, 2012 : 5:35 p.m.
That is the one, thanks Cindy!
Cindy Heflin
Fri, Nov 16, 2012 : 3:58 p.m.
Perhaps it's this incident, reported by Kyle Feldscher? http://www.annarbor.com/news/crime/man-arrested-for-drunk-driving-after-hitting-3-parked-cars-2-light-poles-fleeing/
simone66
Fri, Nov 16, 2012 : 2:35 p.m.
Not a morning goes by in the A2 freeways w/o an accident occuring to mess things up. What is the matter with people?
Johnson48racing
Fri, Nov 16, 2012 : 2:14 p.m.
What are we going to do when the snow and ice come? We can't drive on dry roads anymore.
MgoBlueMomma
Fri, Nov 16, 2012 : 3:27 p.m.
Your right Johnson48racing, I couldn't have said it better myself.