VAN BUREN COUNTY (WKZO-AM) — A 72-year-old from Illinois is dead after his SUV was rear-ended by a semi hauling apple pulp, which was crushed up against four other cars and another semi.
Lt. Dale Hinz with the Michigan State Police said it happened at 2:15 p.m. Friday afternoon on Intersate 94 in Van Buren County.
Four people who were caught up in the wreck were rushed to area hospitals for treatment. Seven required treatment at the scene.
The preliminary investigation blames the driver of the first semi, saying he was inattentive and failed to react to traffic that had slowed because of oncoming construction. An accident reconstructionist is working to determine the exact sequence of events.
Charges could be filed against the driver of the semi.
Traffic was diverted for three hours, after the wreck initially resulted in a back-up several miles long. The name of the victim has not been released, pending notification of his family.
– John McNeill
