PAW PAW (WKZO) — The Michigan State Police have completed their investigation into the largest snow related chain reaction collision in Michigan History in Charleston Township, and concluded what we reported last month.
It wasn’t the constriction of the roadway, or the “Galesburg Triangle”, it was human error, given the poor visibility and road conditions that resulted in the 193 vehicle wreck.
Lt. Dale Hintz says based on their exhaustive recreation of the collisions, they are issuing 63 tickets to both commercial and private drivers, 58 of them for driving too fast for conditions.
The other drivers are being cited for not having insurance, or not having driver’s licenses or improper registrations.
State Police have just mailed the tickets. There was some question, because there was a death involved, if more serious charges might be sought against any drivers who contributed to that fatality, but that is not the case. Lt. Hintz says the actions of the Canadian truck driver were responsible for his death, as his cab slammed into a trailer hauling cars.
He says after watchng some of the videos shot that day, its a miracle so few were badly injured.
You can read the complete news release below.
STATE POLICE COMPLETE CRASH INVESTIGATION
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 19, 2015
PAW PAW, MICH. The Michigan State Police (MSP) has completed its investigation of the 193 vehicle crash that occurred on Jan. 9, 2015, on I-94 near Climax. The multi-vehicle crash caused the closure of both eastbound and westbound I-94 for two days while numerous agencies worked to remove the damaged vehicles and hazardous materials involved in the incident.
The first crash occurred at approximately 9:20 a.m. in the eastbound lanes during a period of heavy snow, when a semi-truck rear-ended a van, causing the van to collide with a passenger car. The van then collided with the guardrail on the south side of I-94, coming to rest perpendicular to the lanes of travel. The van was blocking the right shoulder and a portion of the right lane, while the passenger car came to rest on the median side of eastbound I-94 after striking the cable median barrier. In total, 60 vehicles (26 commercial vehicles and 34 passenger vehicles) were involved in the eastbound crash.
The eastbound crash was complicated by a tanker hauling 44,600 pounds of liquid formic acid that had overturned next to a semi truck loaded with 40,000 pounds of fireworks. The two trucks, as well as the formic acid, began to burn, necessitating the issuance of an evacuation order until the fire could be extinguished. The eastbound crash claimed the life of 57-year-old Canadian semi truck driver, Jean Larocque when Larocque drove into the back of a tractor trailer hauling vehicles.
The westbound crash began approximately 3-5 minutes after the eastbound crash when motorists, distracted by the crash in the eastbound lanes, lost control of their vehicles starting a multi-vehicle crash on the westbound side. The westbound crash involved a total of 133 vehicles (50 commercial vehicles and 83 passenger vehicles). The total accident scene spanned approximately 1,440 feet. In total, 18 people from seven states and Canada were treated for injuries. Five emergency services workers were also treated for minor injuries sustained during the response to the incident.
Following a thorough investigation of the crashes, the primary cause was determined to be drivers traveling too fast for the roadway conditions. While the weather contributed to this incident, Michigan law states in MCL 257.627: “(1) A person operating a vehicle on a highway shall operate that vehicle at a careful and prudent speed not greater than nor less than is reasonable and proper, having due regard to the traffic, surface, and width of the highway and of any other condition then existing. A person shall not operate a vehicle upon a highway at a speed greater than that which will permit a stop within the assured, clear distance ahead.”
After the careful review of photographic and video evidence, as well as driver and witness statements, it was determined that citations would be issued to all drivers found at-fault for violation of basic speed law (MCL 257.627). In the eastbound crash, this includes 12 drivers of commercial vehicles and nine drivers of passenger vehicles and in the westbound crash, 18 drivers of commercial vehicles and 19 drivers of passenger vehicles will be cited.
Investigation also revealed three drivers driving without insurance, one driver with no operator’s license and one driver with an improper registration plate. These drivers will also be cited for these offenses. Citations are being mailed or delivered beginning today.
“This crash is a vivid illustration of the dangers of traveling too fast on icy and snowy roads,” stated F/Lt. Dale Hinz, MSP Paw Paw Post Commander. “As drivers, we are responsible for controlling our vehicles at all times, no matter the weather or roadway conditions.”
With the large amount of commercial vehicles involved in these crashes, the MSP will be working with the Michigan Truck Safety Commission, and its Canadian counterpart, to raise awareness among commercial drivers in hopes of preventing future crashes of this nature.
According to a crash data analysis by the Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning, a review of traffic crashes statewide for the years 2009 – 2013, shows there were 226 fatalities (which is nearly 5 percent of total traffic fatalities statewide) and 6,515 incapacitating and non-incapacitating injuries in crashes where the driver was coded by a law enforcement officer as traveling too fast for winter roadway conditions.
“The safest things a driver can do in winter weather conditions are to slow down and leave extra stopping distance between vehicles,” added Hinz. “Numerous drivers of both commercial and passenger vehicles were able to safely stop their vehicles without crashing. These drivers were observant and travelling at prudent speeds for the conditions.”
