(WDIV photo)
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DETROIT (WDIV) - Michigan State Police said four people are dead -- three children and one adult -- and 20 people are hurt in a massive crash that has closed a portion of I-75 in Detroit.
Update from police:
MSP Lt. Michael Shaw said white-out weather conditions are being blamed for the crash. He said cars started to crash into each other at Dearborn Street. Several semi-trucks also lost control and are piled up. The crash scene is more than a mile long.
Drivers were unable to see the wrecks ahead of them and ended up slamming into each other.
Injuries:
Shaw said officers have gone car to car and made sure no one is trapped, but several - including children - have been taken to area hospitals with varying levels of injuries. He said most of the complaints were for back, neck and head pains.
As many as 200 cars, many of which are simply stuck at the scene, are involved.
Police are handing out blankets.
What's closed:
The northbound lanes are closed at Schaefer.
The southbound lanes are closed at Springwells.
The interstate is expected to be closed for hours as police work to remove debris and cars.
What the drivers are saying:
Local 4 spoke with several drivers at the scene who said they were in shock, but were able to get out of their cars safely and get off the interstate. They said white-out weather conditions made it very hard to see and the chain-reaction crash.
“I slowed down because of the weather, with the white-out, I tried to get out of the way and next thing …slammed into a truck," said one driver.
Several drivers said they tried to help others who were stuck in their cars before rescue crews got on the scene.
Witnesses described some cars being "crushed like accordions."
