Saturday, February 7, 2015

ROAD AND TRAFFIC SAFETY STUDY ORDERED INTO 193-VEHICLE CRASH ON I-94 IN MICHIGAN THAT KILLED ONE AND INJURED AT LEAST 20 OTHERS








 

ROAD AND TRAFFIC SAFETY STUDY ORDERED INTO 193-VEHICLE CRASH ON I-94 IN MICHIGAN THAT KILLED ONE AND INJURED AT LEAST 20 OTHERS

February 7, 2015

KALAMAZOO, MICHIGAN – As investigators complete their reports on a huge January traffic crash, a study of I-94 is underway.

Michigan State Police have sent their reports to the Kalamazoo County prosecutor on their investigation into the 193-vehicle crash on Jan. 9.

An accident in the eastbound lanes followed by another in the westbound lanes killed one truck driver and injured more than 20 other people.

Several vehicles caught fire, one leaked toxic chemicals and another loaded with fireworks exploded and the highway was closed for more than two days.
The reports will be reviewed by the prosecutor's office for any possible charges, officials said Friday.

Meanwhile a study of the interstate is underway, according to the Michigan Department of Transportation.

Jeff Cranson, a spokesman for the department, said the review will take four to six months and will consider a variety of issues on I-94 from the Indiana state line to US-127 in Jackson.

Cranson said MDOT and state police will consider traffic operations, roadway geometry, law enforcement activity, crash history and related weather conditions.

He said detailed analysis will be conducted on areas of the road with higher rates of incidents.

State Senator Margaret O'Brien of the 20th district, which includes the crash scene, said she asked for the Road Safety Audit.
In January, O'Brien asked Gov. Rick Snyder to order a study on the eastbound section of I-94 where the first accident occurred "and offer recommendations on possible changes to the roadway."

She listed figures from the state police showing that in the 12-mile stretch of highway where the accident occurred had 230 accidents in 2011, 222 accidents in 2012 and 275 accidents in 2013.

MDOT director, Kurt Steudle, in a letter to O'Brien, said the study will be conducted by representatives from his department, MSP, Federal Highway Administration, and Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning.
He said the study team could provide both short- and long-term changes.