A powerful winter storm sweeping across North America triggered a catastrophic chain-reaction crash involving more than 100 vehicles on a Michigan interstate Monday, January 19, 2026, leading to multiple injuries but, miraculously, no deaths.
Chaos on I-196 Amid Whiteout Conditions
The massive collision occurred on Interstate 196, southwest of Grand Rapids in Ottawa County, Michigan. Michigan State Police were forced to shut down the highway in both directions Monday morning to manage the scene and clear the wreckage. The pileup included a staggering 30 semi-trailer trucks among the passenger vehicles.
Pedro Mata Jr., a motorist caught in the event, described harrowing conditions. He told The Associated Press he was driving between 32 and 40 km/h but could barely see the cars ahead due to blowing snow. After stopping safely, he pulled his pickup truck into the median to avoid being struck from behind.
"It was a little scary just listening to everything, the bangs and booms behind you. I saw what was in front of me. I couldn’t see what was behind me exactly," Mata said.
Widespread Storm System Hits U.S. and Canada
This incident is part of a major winter storm system affecting a broad swath of the continent. The U.S. National Weather Service had issued warnings for extreme cold and potential storms across several states, from northern Minnesota through Wisconsin, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New York. Remarkably, snow was reported one day earlier as far south as the Florida Panhandle.
In Canada, Environment Canada issued alerts in anticipation of the same system. The Greater Toronto Area braced for potential flurries and snow squalls starting Monday night, with the severe weather expected to persist through Saturday. Forecasts predicted a low of -21°C for Friday, with 20 to 40 cm of snow possible, and even higher amounts locally. The heaviest snowfall was anticipated for Monday night into Tuesday.
Response and Aftermath
Emergency crews worked diligently at the Michigan crash site to assist the injured and clear the interstate. While state police confirmed numerous injuries resulted from the pileup, they emphasized that no fatalities had been reported—a fortunate outcome given the scale of the collision.
Drone footage shared on social media platform X by Breaking911 captured the immense scale of the wreckage, showing a tangled line of vehicles stretching along the snow-covered highway. The event serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by rapidly deteriorating winter driving conditions.
Authorities in both the United States and Canada continue to urge residents to exercise extreme caution, avoid non-essential travel during storm warnings, and ensure vehicles are prepared for hazardous winter weather.
