A severe Arctic storm sweeping across parts of the United States has resulted in a catastrophic chain-reaction crash involving an estimated 100 vehicles on a major Michigan highway.
Scene of Chaos on Interstate 196
The incident occurred on Interstate 196 in Michigan on the morning of January 20, 2026. Authorities were forced to shut down the highway after approximately six inches of snow combined with freezing temperatures created perilous driving conditions. The Ottawa County Sheriff's Office reported that the heavy snowfall drastically reduced visibility, sparking a "domino reaction" of collisions at around 10:20am.
Dramatic footage from the scene shows the sheer scale of the wreckage, with cars colliding into one another and others swerving off the roadway in desperate attempts to avoid the chaos. Officials estimate that between 30 to 40 semi-trucks were caught up in the massive pile-up.
Stranded Drivers and Miraculous Escape
In the immediate aftermath, numerous drivers were left stranded on the closed interstate. Emergency services advised motorists to remain inside their vehicles until help could reach them. Remarkably, despite the terrifying scale of the accident, only minor injuries have been reported so far.
One individual involved in the crash took to social media to describe the harrowing experience. They explained that their fiancé's truck was hit by a semi-trailer and ended up in a ditch, with their own white Explorer nearby. "We saw all the semis coming from the back of us and quickly decided to drive into the ditch rather than being hit. So scary," they wrote. "It was the scariest thing to hear and watch."
Warnings of Treacherous Conditions
In the wake of the accident, the Michigan State Police issued urgent warnings to all drivers in the region. They emphasised that road conditions remain treacherous and urged people to slow down significantly.
"Blowing winds and blinding snow are creating dangerous travel conditions," a police statement added, highlighting the ongoing risk posed by the severe winter weather system affecting the area.
