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Traffic Backed Up For Miles, I-94 Closed, After Garbage Truck Crash

HARPER WOODS (WWJ) - I-94 was shut down for nearly four hours hours after a garbage truck smashed into another vehicle on I-94 in Harper Woods.

Many commuters on the east side are getting held up in traffic backups following the accident early Thursday morning on eastbound I-94 near Allard Avenue, near the 8 Mile/Vernier exit.

What it looks like from up here is a garbage hauler smashed into the back-end of a coupe," reported WWJ's Bill Szumanski from over the scene in the Chopper 950, "and I really can't tell what kind of car it is because the entire trunk is missing now. The coupe came very close to slamming into a light pole, as well."

WWJ's Mike Campbell said traffic was brought to a halt several miles away from the accident. Traffic detouring through the neighborhood was backing up as well, as drivers tried to navigate frozen streets.

Semi driver, Anthony Newhouse of Taylor, was among those caught in the backup for too long.

"About an hour, hour and 15 minutes," he said. "I'm supposed to be in Marine City. I should've been in Marine City by now. It's normally about a two hour drive there and back."

Sources said some injuries have been reported, although it wasn't immediately clear how many people may have been hurt.

The freeway has neoprene but an investigation is ongoing.

For the latest from the roads, stay with WWJ Newsradio 950 during Traffic and Weather on the 8s, 24-hours a day. Check for recent incidents now on the CBS Detroit Traffic Page.

i94 accident
(Credit: Mike Campbell/WWJ Newsradio 950)
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