Four dead and 17 injured in Michigan after semi-crash in stationary traffic

Four people were killed and 17 were injured in a major traffic accident along Interstate 96 near Webberville, Michigan – about 70 miles west of Detroit – late Saturday night.

Police said the fatal pileup occurred just before midnight when a semi-truck and trailer approached stopped traffic on the highway but failed to stop in time. The truck drove through several vehicles in the left lane.

The impact caused the truck and several vehicles to catch fire, police said.

Officials said about 15 vehicles were involved, including the truck.

The highway will remain closed in both directions until the investigation is completed and the debris is cleared.

Officials said traffic on I-96 was shut down for a brief period before the crash so utility crews could work on power lines. Officers were about to reopen the highway when the accident happened.

This story was originally published by Scripps News Detroit.