Semi truck rolls over on I-94; Four people transported to hospital
A semi truck lies on its side Monday morning after a rollover accident that sent four people to the hospital. Both the eastbound and westbound lanes had to be closed.
Danny Shaw | AnnArbor.com
Editor's note: Initial reports indicated the truck was westbound when the accident occurred. Police have since released updated information confirming the truck was eastbound. The story has been updated.
Emergency crews responded to westbound Interstate 94 at Jackson Road Monday morning after a semi truck rolled over, causing both sides of the freeway to be closed. Police said just after 12:30 p.m. that the eastbound lanes had reopened.
At 2:10 p.m., all lanes on the freeway lanes were open, according to police.
Police, fire and Huron Valley Ambulance crews were all being sent to the area at 10:50 a.m. Monday, dispatchers said. The truck was heading east and crashed through the median and landed on its side. Two men were trapped inside.
A Ford Explorer also hit the wall. Two people were inside. Firefighters assisted by HVA removed all the patients.
Danny Shaw | AnnArbor.com
Four people were transported to University of Michigan Hospital with non-life threatening injuries, according to Michigan State Police Sgt. Mark Thompson.
Drivers were being diverted onto Jackson Road from the westbound lanes and onto M-14 from the eastbound lanes.
Also during the incident another accident occurred on eastbound I-94 west of Jackson. Four cars all rear ended each other, according to Ann Arbor Battalion Chief Robert Vogel. Westbound I-94 will be closed for an extended period of time for wall repair.
Drivers were encouraged by authorities to avoid the area for the next several hours as clean up and investigation into the accident took place, according to an alert sent out by the Washtenaw County Sheriff's Office.
Check back to AnnArbor.com for more information on this story as it becomes available.
Kyle Feldscher covers cops and courts for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at kylefeldscher@annarbor.com or you can follow him on Twitter.
Comments
Jack
Tue, Apr 24, 2012 : 8:22 p.m.
Something must also have happened at the entrance ramp to eastbound 94 because there were remnants of car parts on the road and a semi pulled over to the side.
julieswhimsies
Mon, Apr 23, 2012 : 10:50 p.m.
I hate that curve. I always slow down for it to about 55 mph. There's always someone tailgating me in that area. Go back to Driver's Ed., kids. Drive for the conditions.
julieswhimsies
Wed, Apr 25, 2012 : 6:31 p.m.
Tailgaters are not going to kill me. If I have to stop suddenly, I guarantee, that their car will receive a lot more damage and a larger chance for passenger injury when they hit my very sturdy pick-up. I could drive 80-90 down I-94 and still have somebody on my tail. The conditions on that curve call for a slower speed. Drive for the conditions.
Unusual Suspect
Tue, Apr 24, 2012 : 1:22 p.m.
"I always slow down for it to about 55 mph. There's always someone tailgating me in that area." It's very possible these two things are related, as in the first one is causing the second one.
russellr
Mon, Apr 23, 2012 : 9:55 p.m.
That's too bad the fire station is closing. I would like to know what are they doing with my taxes that they keep raising for 3 years in a row for the fire dept.????
u812
Mon, Apr 23, 2012 : 10:41 p.m.
maybe snyder can raise the gas tax more since alot people have no problem speeding around and getting bad gas mileage to be to there destination three minutes quicker.
AAbob43
Mon, Apr 23, 2012 : 9:32 p.m.
Razor--Wow, I really dig it that pretty much everything that happens in or around AA can be tied back to either police or fire cuts, or public art. I think AA will only be properly governed when every building has its own firehouse, its own cop (with car), and when no money is spent on public art. Let's get after that. I am going to make better efforts, in the face of every news item posted on AA.Com, to find the connections to these imporant issues.
djm12652
Mon, Apr 23, 2012 : 8:27 p.m.
3 of the 4 cars involved in the secondary accident were rear ended, unless the first car spun around in large 360 and rear ended the 4th vehicle...
TFT
Mon, Apr 23, 2012 : 7:56 p.m.
94 thru A2 is a death trap. Any type of rain... there is lots of standing water making it very slick. When we get a good snow storm, there are lots of cars down in the ditch. I had a car in front of me do a 360 spin from the ice. The EB curve just before State street is crash central. Drivers don't see the cars sitting in traffic until its too late around that blind curve. I have seen more crashes there than I can count. After State street is that tiny hill that everyone hits their breaks on and its bumper cars thru there as well. The entire stretch needs re done to make it safer. Keep both hands on the wheel and stop txting with two hands would be a big help too!
julieswhimsies
Mon, Apr 23, 2012 : 10:52 p.m.
Stay alert and drive for the conditions. Seriously.
John Spelling
Mon, Apr 23, 2012 : 7:59 p.m.
"...and stop txting with two hands would be a big help too!" Agree. Only text with one hand while driving!
Scooter
Mon, Apr 23, 2012 : 7:47 p.m.
Lets add a bike lane ;)
jns131
Mon, Apr 23, 2012 : 9:44 p.m.
I think that is a great idea. Lets see how traffic flows afterwards.
Kyle Feldscher
Mon, Apr 23, 2012 : 7:45 p.m.
I've corrected the fact that the truck was eastbound and not westbound as originally reported. The initial information we received indicated the truck was westbound and we were able to speak to police a short time ago, who corrected that information. We had been taking note of your comments and were working to confirm that information, but police were still investigating until a short time ago. Thanks for reading. -Kyle
Fat Bill
Mon, Apr 23, 2012 : 7:39 p.m.
The report is incorrect... as is obvious in the photo, the truck was headed eastbound, landed on the westbound side. The explorer was also eastbound, and remained on that side of the road. I can only imagine what a westbound driver would be thinking as that boom truck is coming through the wall. Major repair work will have to be performed on the K-rail...
Unusual Suspect
Mon, Apr 23, 2012 : 7:37 p.m.
This was obviously an east-bound truck. It may has closed the west-bound lanes, but that doesn't mean the truck was headed in that direction. From my own personal observations, usually what happens here is somebody over-shoots the east-bound entrance ramp, which has appropriately been nick-named the "death ramp", and somebody on the expressway has to swerve to miss them. Next time you're around this curve, take a look at the number of times the median and the guard rail have been repaired.
Susie Q
Mon, Apr 23, 2012 : 7:12 p.m.
I DO believe the speed limit should be lowered for that curve; at least for trucks. What folks may fail to realize is that the trucks carry TONS of cargo that can shift when the trucks go around that curve. I sincerely believe that the majority of truck wrecks in that area are a result of too much centrifugal force as the truck/cargo go around that curve. Whenever I drive that stretch of road, I try to avoid rounding the turn anywhere near a truck, especially those big steel haulers....they seem to crash a lot there.
joe.blow
Mon, Apr 23, 2012 : 7:11 p.m.
Time for 3-4 lanes?
81wolverine
Mon, Apr 23, 2012 : 7:10 p.m.
A large % of these bad accidents on I-94 in Washtenaw County involve trucks. It's not surprising since most of the highway through the county is 2 lanes (which is not adequate) and the volume of trucks on the road is far higher than it was designed for. Plus too many of the onramps are just not long enough and you find yourself trying to merge into a lane with a huge truck and nowhere to go. I absolutely hate driving on I-94 now for this reason, but often have no viable alternative.
ranger007
Mon, Apr 23, 2012 : 6:38 p.m.
That entire interchange is a death trap...you have the insane curve to enter the highway going east bound which is completely blind for drivers on 94the east bound the you have the west bound entrance ramp behind Kmart which virtually blind for both drivers on the highway and entering the highway. I was always taught to take a glance up the ramp to see if anyone was entering so you could move over or possibly lower your speed can't do that here.
SMC
Tue, Apr 24, 2012 : 1:42 a.m.
Well, I doubt the current residents of the cemetery would mind terribly if they were relocated...
Jeff Renner
Tue, Apr 24, 2012 : 1:33 a.m.
To SMC - I suspect the problem is the Bethlehem cemetery that lies in the way of a more gentle curve.
julieswhimsies
Mon, Apr 23, 2012 : 10:58 p.m.
Lower the speed limit in the area significantly, and enforce it. Signs should be posted everywhere.
Woman in Ypsilanti
Mon, Apr 23, 2012 : 9:05 p.m.
Ugh. I have always hated that part of I-94. If I pass it going east, I get in the left lane even if there are faster drivers who want to pass me. It is just too dangerous in the right lane with folks entering the highway from that horrible entrance. Maybe it is time to re-engineer that whole interchange and use eminent domain to force anyone in the way to move?
SMC
Mon, Apr 23, 2012 : 7:30 p.m.
Blame it on whoever refused to sell their land, back when that section of I94 was built. If not for that, we'd have an interchange from M14W to I94E, and those two badly designed on-ramps wouldn't be nearly as dangerous.
djm12652
Mon, Apr 23, 2012 : 6:28 p.m.
Where in relationship to the Westbound on ramp from Jackson did this occur?
djm12652
Mon, Apr 23, 2012 : 6:25 p.m.
Not sure of the physical aspects of this accident. If the semi was heading westbound, it ended up on east bound side, right?
justcurious
Mon, Apr 23, 2012 : 6:08 p.m.
I just heard they are re-opening westbound I-94 now.
genericreg
Mon, Apr 23, 2012 : 6 p.m.
Four people transported to hospital accident that sent three people to the hospital.
Julie Baker
Mon, Apr 23, 2012 : 6:07 p.m.
The photo caption has been changed to reflect updated information we received from firefighters.
Wolf's Bane
Mon, Apr 23, 2012 : 5:18 p.m.
It is a miracle no one was killed. Seriously.
Perry White
Mon, Apr 23, 2012 : 5:06 p.m.
Great Caesar's ghost! Did that Olson kid write this photo caption? "A semi truck lays on its side Monday morning" Even he should know that it's "A semi truck lies on its side!"
Razor
Mon, Apr 23, 2012 : 5:05 p.m.
All persons posting and Ann Arbor Resdients, understand that the fire station closest to this intersection, 2130 Jackson Ave is slated to be closed by the fire chief!! thus making a response to this area even longer!
Rabid Wolverine
Mon, Apr 23, 2012 : 5:05 p.m.
Is there a reason where there are no more obvious signage for these truckers that a severe bend is upcoming and they should decrease their speed. The current signs are obviously not enough as there have been several tractor trailer roll-over's the past few months/years..
John Spelling
Mon, Apr 23, 2012 : 4:58 p.m.
"The truck was heading west and crashed through the median and landed on its side. " To me the truck appears still in the westbound lane (and facing eastbound)? Did the truck crash into instead of through the median? Or maybe just landed on the median and the photo is of the truck being removed by a wrecker?
5c0++ H4d13y
Tue, Apr 24, 2012 : 12:18 a.m.
Looks like the truck is in the east bound lane. You can tell because you can see the blue roof of the Maple Village Self Storage. I don't see any other blue roofs in the area. http://g.co/maps/w96yj
djm12652
Mon, Apr 23, 2012 : 7:46 p.m.
Gentlemen, you are correct, the semi was traveling EAST...
John Spelling
Mon, Apr 23, 2012 : 7:30 p.m.
Seems like an eastbound accident. The white suv appears to be facing west along the retaining wall in the eastbound lane. And where is the debri from the retaining wall? Maybe pushed over into the westbound lane? Perhaps the reporter will explain in an update?
ArgoC
Mon, Apr 23, 2012 : 7:25 p.m.
That's just as confusing as my mental picture of "four cars all rear-ended each other." Forensic reporting, this is not.
Jeff Renner
Mon, Apr 23, 2012 : 6:48 p.m.
Further reinforcing the theory that the truck was eastbound and ended up in the WB lane is that the blue roof in the background of the photo is to the north of I-94 (on the outside of the curve), behind Maple Village shopping center. You can see this on Google maps satellite view.
Jeff Renner
Mon, Apr 23, 2012 : 5:36 p.m.
I agree. And it would seem unlikely that a westbound truck would roll across the median barrier since that would mean rolling toward the inside of the curve. It seems much more likely that the truck was eastbound and rolled toward the outside of the curve (centrifugal force).
wait.think
Mon, Apr 23, 2012 : 3:51 p.m.
65 mph back in 1960 is the same as 65 mph in 2012, so the posted speed limit is not the issue. The volumne of traffic is substantially different, and I certainly think a huge percentage of drivers are "distracted." The only thing we should be doing while we are driving is DRIVING, fully engaged. Not eating, talking on the phone, texting, daydreaming, reading - not even a map!!! This is NOT meant as a comment on this particular accident, as I only know what was published in this article.
Rizzle
Tue, Apr 24, 2012 : 12:01 a.m.
The only difference between 2012 and 1960 is that cars built today are much better equipped to handle higher speeds so actually they are safer than in the 1960s the tires, steering, traction, and suspension systems are much better. the 5 mi./h difference in speed limit is nothing compared to this advantage.
Susanne Brace
Mon, Apr 23, 2012 : 4:38 p.m.
Except the posted speed limit is 70 more often than not around here, and people usually drive around 75/80
Polyjuce123
Mon, Apr 23, 2012 : 3:29 p.m.
I-94 is currently designed for traffic levels of the 1960's, not 2012 which contributes to many of the accidents. It is far to narrow for the posted speeds, making it nearly impossible to stop for accidents at high speeds, especially for tractor trailers.
MjC
Mon, Apr 23, 2012 : 5:20 p.m.
Make that I-94 and US-23... but until they fix them, let's be alert out there!
JGS
Mon, Apr 23, 2012 : 3:46 p.m.
I don't know the logistics of it, but if that ON-RAMP heading EB94 were to be moved past the bridge there would be less congestion/jockeying for the left lane. That said, this accident originated on the WB94 side and this ON-RAMP isn't in play. This whole ramp system needs to be re-engineered in my opinion.
djm12652
Mon, Apr 23, 2012 : 3:37 p.m.
Truck speeds are posted lower, but the curve there at Jackson Rd is very tight even for a semi at a lower speed...
Bertha Venation
Mon, Apr 23, 2012 : 3:21 p.m.
This is right next to our house, and has been a bad section of 94 ever since it opened in 1957. We don't even throw marbles down there anymore.
Jeff Renner
Mon, Apr 23, 2012 : 5:38 p.m.
The curve used to be even sharper until they slightly straightened it in the seventies, I think it was.
kraiford12
Mon, Apr 23, 2012 : 3:08 p.m.
Seems there have been so many accidents on the expressways in Ann Arbor as of lately. Not sure how this compares to previous years/seasons. Maybe I'm just noticing it more? Whatever the reason I hope everyone does their best to drive safe.
julieswhimsies
Mon, Apr 23, 2012 : 10:46 p.m.
I'm noticing, as well....particularly on I-94 and 23.
kraiford12
Mon, Apr 23, 2012 : 5:17 p.m.
Elissa?
JGS
Mon, Apr 23, 2012 : 3:43 p.m.
You're right Elissa. ;)