(WWJ) — A multi-vehicle crash on I-696 late Thursday morning that caused mid-day traffic nightmares lingered into the evening rush hour.
The crash happened around 11:30 a.m. along eastbound I-696 after Greenfield Road, leaving that direction of the freeway closed at Coolidge Highway.
The crash, which involved a semi-truck and at least one other vehicle, damaged a large portion of the median wall. It also left only the right lane open on the westbound side of I-696.
Officials with MDOT finally cleared the scene of the crash shortly before 7:30 p.m.
Authorities have not released any information about what happened in the moments leading up to the crash, but speed appears to be a factor.
MDOT's Diane Cross told WWJ the barrier wall was "so severely damaged" that the lanes on either side had to be blocked by MSP courtesy patrols.
While Michigan State Police have not said what caused the crash, officials released video of the scene along I-696, noting due to rain across the area, MSP has responded to 37 "preventable" crashes across the Metro Detroit district since midnight.
MSP added, "We have more rain on the way risky driving behaviors are even worse in inclement weather."
This is a developing story. Stay tuned to WWJ Newsradio 950 for the latest updates as they become available. >>> LISTEN LIVE!




