Semi Overturns, Causing Major Headaches On Eastbound I-696

MADISON HEIGHTS (WWJ) - A big smashup involving a semi-truck on eastbound I-696 at Couzens led to backups for drivers traveling through Madison Heights Monday morning.

WWJ's Ron Dewey reported there were no less than four king-sized tow trucks working the scene, around 6:30 a.m.  By 7:30 a.m, a flatbed delivered numerous bags of fuel soak, possibly sand, to the scene as part of the clean-up process involving fuel tanks that leaked following the accident.

Joe Wright and his grandson stopped by to see what the fuss was about. He said they've seen plenty of wrecks along this stretch of freeway, but nothing like this.

"On 696 ... the drive on it like it's a racetrack early in the morning," said Wright. "I don't know how people get anywhere, you know, without having more accidents and stuff.  I don't like driving on it."

One person was injured.

The area around 696 and I-75 was tied up for hours as a team of tow trucks carefully uprighted the fractured tractor

As far as what caused the accident, the semi reportedly hit the back of a car at the ramp that takes I-696 eastbound to Couzens. The force of the impact sent untold amounts of rocks, dirt and stones into the service drive.

Raw video from the scene:

Traffic lanes were closed on eastbound I-696 until 10:45 a.m. The ramp to Couzens Ave. remained closed into the afternoon for fuel spill cleanup.

Michigan State Police are investigating.