(WWJ) - Major traffic trouble in Detroit during the Friday evening drive.
A tanker truck fire closes both north and southbound Interstate 75 from Interstate 94 to Mack Avenue after a vehicle side-swiped the semitruck. The trailer then crashed into the median at Warren Avenue.
Michigan State Police said Friday night that a 27-year-old was driving northbound on I-75 near Warren Ave., lost control due to speed and struck the side of the semitruck. The semi driver lost control and hit the median wall.
The impact knocked down a light pole and caused a concrete debris field, which blocked all lanes on southbound I-75. The cab of the trailer, with the driver inside, also flipped over the median wall and landed on the southbound I-75 lanes.
In an update, MSP said once the truck was stopped, the chassis, with the gas tanks, caught fire. The at-fault vehicle flipped on its side.
Another vehicle involved as a result of the semi-tractor hitting the wall flipped on its side and came to rest near the truck fire. The driver was able to get out before her vehicle caught on fire.
The tanker carrying approximately 10,000 gallons of fuel did not catch fire.
"We were extremely lucky that this crash did not end in an explosion and fatalities." MSP First Lt. Mike Shaw stated.
"Again, rain and bad driving behaviors just don't mix. When it rains, please slow down."
Seven people were taken to the hospital. Three of them sustained minor injuries.
HAZMAT crews are working hard to empty gasoline from the trailer and to clean gas and oil spillage. Once the fuel is removed, the semi-trailer will be moved.
There is a hole in the median wall that will have to be repaired.
Michigan State Police said both directions of I-75 will be closed for several hours between I-94 and Mack.
M-DOT's Diane Cross said taking I-94 to I-96 and then heading southbound into Detroit will get you around the closure.
The at-fault driver was cited for careless driving and no insurance.
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