4 dead, 17 injured after semi-truck collides with vehicles in traffic near Lansing

(CBS DETROIT) — Four people are dead and 17 others injured after a semi-truck collided with more than a dozen vehicles near Lansing, according to Michigan State Police.

Traffic on Interstate 96, about 30 minutes east of Lansing, was temporarily stopped late Saturday evening as utility crews with DTE Energy completed work on power lines in the area. A semi-truck with a trailer was traveling westbound around 11:45 p.m. and crashed into the stalled vehicles.

“It appears that the driver of the semi-truck did not see the backlog and was unable to stop his vehicle in time,” police said in a statement.

The impact caused the semi-trailer and several vehicles to catch fire. According to police, around 15 vehicles were involved in the accident, including the semi-trailer.

According to authorities, 17 people suffered serious injuries in the accident and were transported to nearby hospitals.

A DTE spokesman said no utility employees were injured.

Michigan State Police said westbound I-96 would be closed for an “indefinite period” Sunday to allow an investigation into the crash and possible structural damage to the overpass. The eastbound lane will also be closed “indefinitely.”

Michigan Highway 52 at the overpass will remain closed Sunday and could also be closed Monday for safety reasons, authorities say.

According to DTE, highways are regularly closed at times that are more convenient for motorists to carry out utility work.

This is a developing story. Stay with CBS News Detroit for the latest.