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Icy Roads Surprise Drivers

Posted at 6:30 AM, Jan 02, 2014
and last updated 2014-01-02 06:48:10-05
131NB scurve crash 010214

In this blurry image, police units can be seen in upper right. (MDOT cam)

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Low temperatures and occasional snow meant for icy road conditions early Thursday, and a few drivers will start the new year talking to their car insurance agents.

All but one lane on northbound US-131 near Wealthy Street were blocked by a five-car crash just before midnight Wednesday night. The crash wasn’t cleared until just before 2 a.m.

Another crash on the icy S-Curve blocked northbound lanes again, this time north of Wealthy Street. That accident took place around 4 a.m. and blocked the right lanes.

The crash was cleared just before 4:45 a.m.

Later in the morning, slide-offs were reported on I-196 near Market Avenue and on the stretch between Hudsonville and Zeeland. Slide-offs were also reported on I-96 near Fruit Ridge Avenue and, in Portage, on I-94 west of Oakland Drive.

A rollover with minor injuries took place around 6:30 a.m. on US-131 northbound just south of the Kent/Allegan county line. Just after that, a truck-semi mishap took place on eastbound I-94 near Westnedge Avenue. There were no injuries.

Another rollover and the highway reported to be icy on I-196 north of Saugatuck.

Winter driving conditions will continue with cold temperatures but less snow.