Family Identifies Man Who Died In Massive I-75 Pileup

ALLEN PARK (WWJ) - A 54-year-old Allen Park man has been identified as one of three people killed in a series of crashes Thursday  during a blinding snow squall on I-75 in River Rouge.

"He was 'Uncle Larry' to a whole lot of people," said Larry Manolis' nephew, Chris Michalakis.

Michalakis told WWJ Newsradio 950's Kathryn Larson his uncle, an architect, had a big heart and was very committed to his family.

Manolis loved the Tigers, the Red Wings and all things Detroit.

"His love for Detroit was such a big part of his personality," said Michalakis. "You know, we're a city that's gone through some hard times, and he went through hard times, and despite it all he found a way to look at the best and laugh and enjoy life."

Michalakis said he's left with wonderful last memory of a man who was always a staple in his life.

"We went to the auto show last Saturday .... and he was so excited about the Cobo renovations and how great all the cars looked at the auto show, how great the American car companies were,"  Michalaki said. "We checked out the new Corvette, the new Mustang and we just had a great, great time."

Manolis died instantly when he was crushed between a car hauler and a truck.

Authorities tell WWJ they will not released the names of a 7-year-old boy and 9-year-old girl who also were killed. The children are believed to be brother and sister from Windsor. According to the Associated Press, their 10-year-old sister and mother are in critical condition, while their father is in good condition at a Detroit hospital.

More than 30 vehicles were involved in the pileup that resulted in what police said was a 10o-vehicle jam. Multiple people were hurt.