For what it's worth....

[gerisullivan]

...those horrible pile-ups on I-94 in Michigan? The ones that occurred on both sides of the highway and are being counted as a single 193-vehicle event?

I've driven that stretch of road both eastbound and westbound literally hundreds of times since first taking drivers' ed and getting my learner's permit in 1969. Exit 92 was my default for trips heading west or when taking eastbound 94 from the west as I was coming into Battle Creek.

My sister was on that stretch of road fewer than 11 hours before the pile-up. If she'd packed her toothbrush and a book, she likely would have stayed over with friends in Mattawan Thursday night and either been on the road heading home Friday morning when it happened or horribly delayed in the immediate aftermath.

Six of the 23 injured people sent to hospitals were treated at the hospital my dad was in both when he got his pacemaker and shortly before his death. I know those corridors, though only my sister spent time with him in the emergency room there.

So, yeah. While I don't (or don't yet) know of anyone personally involved with or affected by the pile-ups, was 750+ miles away at the time, and didn't even hear about it until Sunday evening(!), this one was way too close to home.

Comments

[kalimac.livejournal.com]

I know how that feels. I frequently drove the stretch of multi-level freeway in Oakland that pancaked in the 1989 Loma Prieta quake, and often at just about that time of day.

I don't believe I've been on that stretch of I-94. East of Marshall, though, yes.

[nkcmike.livejournal.com]

I think I saw some video of this as it was happening. Wow!

I hope none of your acquaintances was involved.

[marsgov.livejournal.com]

And for the Nth time, a major crash there within a week of when I've passed through. I'm headed through there tomorrow.

Safety tip: In whiteout snow conditions, slow down until you can see where you're going...