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Truck Crash, 150-Gallon Fuel Spill Shuts Down I-275 For Hours

LIVONIA (WWJ) - I-275 in Livonia has reopened to traffic after a semi truck crash closed the freeway for several hours at 7 Mile.

The morning commute coming to a grinding halt following the accident Monday, along southbound I-275 between 9 Mile and 7 Mile roads in Livonia.

Michigan State Police Lt. Mike Shaw said it all started just after 7:30 a.m. when a car entering the freeway via the 7 Mile Road ramp was going too fast and lost control, striking the semi.

i-275 shut down
(credit: Vickie Thomas/WWJ)

That's when the truck jack-knifed, dumping about 150 gallons of diesel fuel onto the freeway and forcing police to divert motorists off onto side roads, and backing up traffic for miles.

Shaw's advice to drivers?

"Slow down on that ramp, then ease yourself onto the freeway," Shaw told WWJ's Vickie Thomas. "Also, you gotta give these trucks some room. They cannot stop on a dime. If you kinda miss your exit, just go on to the next one so you're not trying to cut these guys off."

i-275 crash
(credit: Vickie Thomas/WWJ)

It took hours for crews to clean up the mess, but the freeway was open before the afternoon commute.

There were no reported injuries due to the crash.

Know before you go: Keep it tuned to WWJ Newsradio 950 for traffic and weather, every 10 minutes on the 8s. For the latest from the roads anytime, click on our real-time traffic page.

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