Three People Killed in Detroit I-75 Whiteout Crash - WKRC TV Cincinnati

DETROIT (AP/CBS Detroit) - Authorities say three people, including two children, are dead and about 20 injured in a massive freeway crash in Detroit involving at least 30 vehicles in icy, snowy conditions.

Michigan State Police Lt. Michael Shaw tells WDIV-TV that the deaths and injuries happened in a chain-reaction crash Thursday morning on a mile-long stretch of Interstate 75 on the southwest side of the city.

Witnesses describe white-out conditions and slippery roads. Shaw says many people had to be pulled out of vehicles. The Tri-State experienced a similar set of circumstances earlier this month, when a whiteout led to two massive crashes-one in Turtlecreek Township and one in Colerain Township.  One girl died in those crashes and dozens were injured.

The injured people were transported to area hospitals, most with back, neck and head injuries. State police said fatality numbers were tentative as rescue workers continue going through vehicles.

Dozens of fire engines and police vehicles responded to the scene. Warming buses arrived to assist motorists whose cars were blocked in.

"I've never seen anything like that before," said witness Steve Kendler of Novi, who observed the scene from the northbound side. "There are mangled and tangled semis and cars; and then, about a quarter-mile down the road, there's another set of accidents where semis are all tangled with cars; and, about another half-mile down there road, there's another accident."

"There's just three sets of multiple vehicle and multiple trucks just all tangled up. And part of it, in the very first accident, the cap on the semi is almost sheared off," Kendler said. "These trucks just look like they've been … like a can opener. It's unbelievable. They're just mangled and all over the place."

Multiple cars were seen crushed up against the median and some motorists, at one point, were trapped in their cars. Firefighters on the scene called for as many as 20 ambulances, referring to it as a "terrible catastrophe." 

Authorities say I-75 will remain closed in that area well into the afternoon.

Nearby resident Phyllis Angeles was out for a walk when she saw what happened. "It's terrible … people need to slow down more so they can have more time to brake," she said. "It's one of the worst wrecks. I really started praying as soon as I seen it."