Police car totaled, pedestrian injured in chain-reaction crash at Mackinac Bridge
NORTHERN MICHIGAN -- A chain-reaction crash that closed the Mackinac Bridge amid white-out conditions Tuesday started with a man exiting a vehicle on the north end to switch places in the car with his wife, who had been driving, authorities say.
That man was struck while outside the vehicle and seriously injured on the bridge's north end exit area. Then at least 11 other vehicles - possibly as many as 14 - were involved in several separate crashes close by, state police Sgt. Michael Powell said.
The injured man's condition was not immediately clear.
Motorists earlier on Feb. 24 were warned of high winds and blowing snow that was already making travel difficult. Speeds were restricted on the bridge. Visibility was especially low at the far north and south ends of the bridge where drivers were lowest to the water, Powell said.
It was in this area on the north end where an older couple found driving difficult, police say. They decided to switch drivers off to the side and the man exited the vehicle to walk around to the driver's seat. He was struck by a vehicle, which started a chain-reaction crash, Powell said.
A state trooper responding amid a white-out found a plow truck "coming right at him," Powell said. The trooper swerved out of the way and was struck by part of the plow, then hit a parked semi truck, Powell said.
The trooper was not injured, but his state patrol vehicle appeared to be totaled. The trooper took the best evasive action he could, Powell said.
The bridge had been cleared before 1 p.m. of the damaged vehicles, but remained closed until about 2:30 p.m. as motorists waited for winds to die down. Numerous vehicles were parked on either end of the bridge and in lots nearby.
Wind chill readings were expected in the negative digits for much of the state Tuesday as higher winds pushed snow already on the ground. Some new snow accumulation also was expected.
Powell advised drivers moving in white-out conditions not to stop in the roadway or try to exit a vehicle, because of low visibility for other motorists.
That man was struck while outside the vehicle and seriously injured on the bridge's north end exit area. Then at least 11 other vehicles - possibly as many as 14 - were involved in several separate crashes close by, state police Sgt. Michael Powell said.
The injured man's condition was not immediately clear.
Motorists earlier on Feb. 24 were warned of high winds and blowing snow that was already making travel difficult. Speeds were restricted on the bridge. Visibility was especially low at the far north and south ends of the bridge where drivers were lowest to the water, Powell said.
It was in this area on the north end where an older couple found driving difficult, police say. They decided to switch drivers off to the side and the man exited the vehicle to walk around to the driver's seat. He was struck by a vehicle, which started a chain-reaction crash, Powell said.
A state trooper responding amid a white-out found a plow truck "coming right at him," Powell said. The trooper swerved out of the way and was struck by part of the plow, then hit a parked semi truck, Powell said.
The trooper was not injured, but his state patrol vehicle appeared to be totaled. The trooper took the best evasive action he could, Powell said.
The bridge had been cleared before 1 p.m. of the damaged vehicles, but remained closed until about 2:30 p.m. as motorists waited for winds to die down. Numerous vehicles were parked on either end of the bridge and in lots nearby.
Wind chill readings were expected in the negative digits for much of the state Tuesday as higher winds pushed snow already on the ground. Some new snow accumulation also was expected.
Powell advised drivers moving in white-out conditions not to stop in the roadway or try to exit a vehicle, because of low visibility for other motorists.
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