Grand Rapids, MI (May 28, 2025) – A 35-year-old man died and three others were seriously injured in a multi-vehicle crash that shut down northbound US-131 for several hours early Wednesday morning, according to Michigan State Police.
Accident Details: The crash happened around 5:53 a.m. just past the I-196 interchange. Troopers say a pickup truck was disabled in the center lane of the freeway when a van slammed into it from behind. Moments later, a semi-truck struck the rear of the van, ejecting the driver and one of the passengers.
The van’s driver, a 35-year-old man, died at the scene. The ejected passenger and two others inside the van were transported to the hospital with serious injuries. Authorities confirmed that neither the semi-truck driver nor the driver of the disabled pickup sustained injuries.
Northbound lanes of US-131 remained closed for several hours while investigators documented the scene and cleared the wreckage. All lanes reopened shortly before 9:30 a.m., though traffic remained heavy throughout the morning.
Legal Considerations: Crashes involving a disabled vehicle raise questions about hazard signaling, visibility, and how quickly oncoming drivers can respond. Investigators will likely examine whether the pickup truck had proper warning lights activated and whether the van and semi-truck drivers had enough time to react. Surviving passengers may be eligible to pursue injury claims if negligence is confirmed. The family of the deceased may also consider a wrongful death claim.
Ongoing Investigation: Michigan State Police continue to investigate the sequence of events and contributing factors. Anyone who witnessed the crash or has dashcam footage is encouraged to contact authorities.
Source: FOX 17