COOPERSVILLE, Mich. — A jackknifed semi in the westbound lanes on I-96 at mile 16 and a rollover in the eastbound lanes nearby were just part of the traffic troubles drivers experienced as temperatures dropped and new snow developed Friday morning.
Several areas reported extremely poor visibility: the entire stretch of US-131 in Allegan County, M-40 between Allegan and Holland, and I-96 between Coopersville and Nunica.
Though the weather conditions were predicted, drivers seemed to have been taken completely by surprise, judging by the number of accidents that took place after 7:30 a.m.
The most serious rash of crashes during the morning commute was in Ottawa County, but disaster struck with a fatal crash on northbound US-131 in Allegan County after the morning rush.
Northbound US-131 was closed around 10 a.m. north of the Bradley exit 61, and southbound US-131 was closed at the 142nd Avenue Dorr exit around 10:45 a.m. One of the crashes northbound was fatal.
In addition, eastbound I-96 was closed at the Nunica exit 112th Avenue due to crashes between Nunica and Coopersville. And M-40 was closed northbound and southbound just sound of I-196.
A series of crashes accumulated on 68th Avenue between Lake Michigan Drive and Warner Street west of Allendale.
Rollovers were reported on I-96 eastbound at the Coopersville exit, 96th Avenue north of New Holland Street, and 32nd Avenue north of Greenly Street. Another serious crash occurred on Fillmore Street at 92nd Avenue (the eastbound lanes of Fillmore Street were shut down).
In Allegan County, M-40 near Hamilton was the scene of several crashes, the first of which took place at 138th Avenue that blocked part of M-40.
In Kent County, a serious rollover left some people unconscious on Meyers Lake Avenue south of 12 Mile.
In Hopkins, a bus slid off the road on 134th Avenue west of 30th Street (pictured). No students were hurt. The bus was able to resume on its route.
