As snowfall continues across Michigan, please remember that most winter-driving crashes are caused by drivers going too fast for the roadway conditions. Related: West Avenue closing at I-94 for shift to diverging diamond interchange in JacksonThis new design temporarily crosses the northbound and southbound lanes of U.S. 127/West Avenue so drivers are on the left side of the road when under the I-94 bridge. More Local News to Love Start today for 50% off Expires 3/6/23. Click for Real Time Traffic . According to the Michigan State Police Gaylord Post, 33-year-old Chad Johnson of Harbor Springs was arrested around 10 p.m. on Nov. 30 shortly after someone reported him beating his car with a baseball bat in a parking lot. Nearby city: New Buffalo, MI The Michigan Department of Transportation is closing U.S. 127/M-50 (West Avenue) at I-94 for the shift at 6 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 12. GRASS LAKE TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WLNS) A man is in jail and two are in the hospital with serious injuries after a Wednesday night car crash on westbound I-94 . I-94 michigan center Traffic Condition and Accident Report. Click here to take a moment and familiarize yourself with our Community Guidelines. Alcohol and drugs do not appear to be a factor in the crash, police said. There will be continuing ramp closures throughout the remainder of the project including:Northbound Sprinkle Road to westbound I-94Northbound Portage Road to westbound I-94Westbound I-94 to Portage RoadNorthbound Sprinkle Road traffic can access westbound I-94 via the roundabouts at the interchange and using the southbound ramp to westbound I-94. Heres what could be done to bolster itConsumers Energy to offer free meals in Hillsdale County after winter storm. Michigan State Police are investigating a crash that left a woman in critical condition. If you need help with the Public File, call (313) 222-0566. According to Michigan State Police . MSP reported on Twitter that the freeway reopened around 5 p.m. "All lanes reopened both directions I-94 between Berrien to Calhoun County. source: Bing. Traffic Jam/Road closed/Detour helper Eventually by sometime Thursday morning temperatures should warm at least into the mid-30s causing the ice accumulation to melt. His injuries are unknown. The eastbound intermittent closures are from 7 a.m. until 5 p.m. daily. Copyright 2022 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. ". I-94 Michigan Traffic Road Conditions - Roadnow The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) is closing eastbound I-94 to a single lane from U.S.127 to Lansing Avenue. Recent Accidents in Michigan - Reports, news and resources - legal JACKSON, MI A single-lane closure is coming to I-94 in Jackson County. It is important that victims continue to receive medical support and evaluations after an accident. Accidents/Incidents along I-94 in Michigan 2023-03-03 Roadnow Click for Real Time Traffic type a number or name to filter No accidents found in I-94 MI, but you may find more info for each exit below I-94 Michigan accidents near exit West ~ mi Mile Marker 0mm Nearby city: New Buffalo, MI ~ mi Exit 1 nearby Accidents? Anyone with information regarding the shooting is asked to contact 1-855-MICH-TIP or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-SPEAK-UP. All rights reserved. The woman was heading east before dawn Sunday, Jan. 1, and took the exit ramp onto Eaton Rapids Road, the Jackson County Sheriffs Office reported in a news release. According to police, a . Authorities report the two people from the passenger vehicle remain hospitalized and are being treated for serious injuries. A semi truck lost control Monday morning while traveling westbound on I-94 in Washtenaw County, triggering multiple car crashes. Our team of personal injury attorneys are here to answer any questions that you may have. The driver was traveling too fast for the icy road conditions and lost control, hitting one of the cars involved in the previous crash, pushing that car into the trooper, police said. Were tracking a winter storm event in Metro Detroit for later this week -- heres what we know and what were still pinpointing to help you prepare. In doing so, his car struck a vehicle occupied by a 58-year-old and 39-year-old, both from Jackson. Two people died early Thursday morning in a fire that engulfed a home on Detroits west side. Depending on the specific facts of any case, liability for a semi-truck accident could extend beyond any driver. Several troopers suffered minor injuries and multiple patrol cars were hit during the recent blizzard. The westbound offramp is under construction, and the westbound onramp is nearing completion, and will be finished toward the end of the project, Schirripa said. Jan 22, 2023 2:49pm. The driver of the semi was issued a citation for the incident, according to Michigan State Police officials. I-94 Michigan Traffic in Real Time - EzeRoad Interstate 94 Michigan Live Traffic, Construction and Accident Report . Have you or someone that you care about been injured in a car accident? A third party liability claim may be possible when an entity separate from a workers employer was responsible for an accident. Slow down if travelling and allow extra time to reach your destination, the weather service said. Lanes will be closed on I-94 near Benton Harbor. Traffic is being detoured via eastbound I-94 to the Sargent Road interchange, then to westbound I-94 to southbound U.S. 127, officials said. Through Wednesday night, the precipitation will still be freezing rain, but temperatures warming above freezing will be inching northward for the area south of I-94. The driver tried to avoid the pedestrian by driving on the roads left shoulder. State police posted on social media that the driver of the semi truck was in the center lane while the pickup truck was in the left lane. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. Gretchen Whitmers Rebuilding Michigan program. Emergency personnel were called to the scene at 4:04 a.m.Alcohol appears to have been a contributing factor in the crash, the sheriffs office reported. JACKSON, MI Travelers on eastbound I-94 Thursday may experience slowdowns and backups due to construction. CHARLESTON TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WOOD) A Battle Creek man is dead following a hit-and-run on I-94 Tuesday evening. Nearby Poi ; HOME; I-94 Home; I-94 Traffic Road Conditions; I-94 Traffic, Road Conditions and Accident Reports. When a police officer is injured on the job in Michigan, they will typically be able to seek benefits through the workers compensation system. They must pull people over by the side of the road and could get hit by a car. In doing so, his car struck a vehicle occupied by a 58-year-old and 39-year-old, both from Jackson. VAN BUREN COUNTY, MI A driver going too fast for the road conditions crashed on I-94 Tuesday morning. Click here to take a moment and familiarize yourself with our Community Guidelines. A busy stretch of I-94 in Detroit will close for the weekend due to bridge work. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. Michigan State Police Trooper Injured In Van Buren County Truck Accident On I-94. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. The Osseo man was treated and released from the hospital and currently is lodged in the Jackson County Jail on drunken driving-related charges. Also injured were the Colorado driver, a 47-year-old man from Hobart, Indiana and a front-seat passenger. The Michigan Department of Transportation is closing eastbound I-94 between Airport Road and U.S. 127/M-50/West Avenue at 4 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 3, for the placement of a sign truss, officials said. Fog south of I-94 will spread north across the southern half of Lower Michigan throughout the day. Shortly after, they reported a seven-vehicle pileup at the same mile marker. Some parts of Metro Detroit could receive 5-9 inches of snow on Friday, but there might also be some rain -- heres a breakdown of the timing and what to expect. Gretchen Whitmers Rebuilding Michigan program, which aims to rebuild highways and bridges critical to the states economy and carry the most traffic, officials said. The investigation remains ongoing and MSP is awaiting autopsy results. Latest I-94 Detroit Michigan News Reports - EzeRoad They must reduce their speed and exercise due care to avoid collisions. In all, Consumers reported about 180,000 customers without service as of 11:25 p.m. A mid-week winter storm is approaching Metro Detroit and is expected to bring ice, rain, freezing rain and snow to the area on Wednesday and Thursday. I 94 - mlive.com For I-94 access, police advised motorists to use 35th Street to the east or Westnedge Avenue to the west. Gretchen Whitmers Rebuilding Michigan program to rebuild the state highways and bridges that are critical to the states economy and carry the most traffic. More from MLive:Manslaughter sentencing ends with hugs between families of victim, shooterTyre Nichols death demands renewed scrutiny of policing in Michigan, Black lawmakers sayConservative politics, alleged racism and $12.5M divide Northern Michigan county. 1 Best Campground in America. More from The Jackson Citizen Patriot:Win or not, hes a star. Community turns out to watch Brayden Lape in The Voice finaleBrayden Lape dedicates The Voice finale song to Grass Lake, MichiganBigger, brighter space highlights Skin Deep Day Spas new location5 hidden gems for Christmas shopping in downtown Jackson. CALHOUN COUNTY, MI Police say a woman died early Saturday, Dec. 17, when she was struck by a vehicle on I-94 IN Marshall Township. Courtesy of Michelle Hofman Thatcher
. According to police, the driver of a sedan came "from an unknown location" and struck the pickup truck. Police made two arrests in connection with the death of a 17-year-old girl who was shot in the head and found on I-94 in St. Clair Shores last week. When police arrived, the driver of the pickup was already out of the vehicle and on the ground with severe burns. 51-Year-Old Man Killed In A Multi-vehicle Accident In Kalamazoo (Kalamazoo, MI) Michigan. 2:20 One person is dead after a crash early Wednesday between a car and a semi-truck on Interstate 94 in Ypsilanti Township, Michigan State Police said. Michigan State Police were assisted by the Grass Lake Fire Department and Jackson Community Ambulance. Police searched the suspects vehicle and found ski masks and the cash stolen form the gas station, Radzik said. The closure will be taking place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday. Damages in a civil claim can help cover lost wages, medical bills and pain and suffering. The work is part of MDOTs ongoing $120-million investment to rebuild and widen I-94 near the Airport Road interchange to just west of the east U.S. 127/I-94 interchange in Blackman and Leoni townships. The Michigan State Police has reported multiple closures related to crashes along I-94 Friday morning, including at other locations in Berrien, Van Buren, Kalamazoo and Calhoun counties. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. FOX 2 - Michigan State Police. They occasionally must chase down suspects or otherwise reckless drivers. The Michigan Department of Transportation is closing the eastbound I-94 ramp to southbound U.S. 127, beginning at 7 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 8. There needs to be a thorough and independent investigation for the sake of the victim. Seven miles further east at mile marker 48 in Van Buren County, a patrol vehicle has been reportedly hit. By accessing this website, you are not establishing an attorney-client relationship. The Michigan Department of Transportation is closing westbound I-94 from Sargent Road to Hawkins Road for maintenance from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday, Nov 29. A man who was struck by a vehicle while crossing I-94 on foot after his car was hit by a different driver has died, police said. Closing for this project will increase safety for workers and motorists through the work zone and will provide a smoother and safer driving surface, MDOT officials said. Officials also said that eastbound I-94 at mile marker #23 near Red Arrow Highway in Lincoln Township had also been shut down due to a crash. Police are investigating a hit-and-run that killed a motorist on Wednesday on I-94 west of Ann Arbor. Its also a good idea to speak with an experienced personal injury attorney who can let you know what your legal options are. The driver that struck the man on foot reportedly remained at the scene and was not injured in the crash. Wrong-way driver causes multi-car crash on I-94, leaves 55-year - WILX Westbound I-94 between Haggerty and Belleville roads will be closed until further notice due to a traffic incident involving an unidentified womans body. Rescue workers had to use the jaws of life to free him from his vehicle. On Wednesday, March 1, until Friday, March 3, westbound I-94 will have an intermittent single-lane closures from northbound U.S. 127 to southbound U.S. 127 for similar work. A flake or two may fly early in the wake of a passing cold front, but nothing impressive. VAN BUREN TOWNSHIP, Mich. - An unidentified person was killed in a car crash after driving the wrong direction on I-94 in Van Buren Township early Wednesday morning. All rights reserved. A woman was seriously injured on Christmas night when she crashed into the wall on the side of I-94, skidded across the freeway, and then struck a tree, officials said. According to Michigan. Copyright 2023 WILX. Drivers should be aware of potential traffic slowdowns and backups during the work. Northern Lower Michigan and the Upper Peninsula remain under Winer Storm Warnings and Winter Weather Advisories all day today. Local 4 has received new dashcam information about the deadly wrong-way crash on I-94 in Macomb County. ~ 3.51 miles to Exit 145 of I-94 MI. 1/ pic.twitter.com/Cf188RwNJk. A passenger in the vehicle was taken to a hospital to be treated for their injuries. If youre planning to be out and about this weekend, there are some big closures you should be aware of before hitting the road. Freezing rain and ice accumulation is still the main concern for Michigans big cities along I-94 with the Wednesday-Thursday storm. Currently, it is unknown why the driver ran off of the road. All three people were taken to to Henry Ford Jackson Hospital in Jackson. I-94 interchange thumbnailThe southbound Sprinkle Road ramp to westbound I-94 has reopened, as well as Portage Road at I-94, MDOT said, and work will continue on the project through winter. Related: I-94 work in Kalamazoo County delayed to redesign bridge beams over safety concernsThe beam issue caused a delay of a couple months, he said. The Michigan State Police reported a two-vehicle collision on Monday. I-94 Traffic Road Conditions - Roadnow The man was taken to the hospital in critical condition, and has since died as a result of his injuries, police said Saturday. DETROIT, MICHIGAN (April 11, 2022) - A Michigan State Police trooper was injured in a car accident after being rear-ended by a semi-truck on Interstate 94 in Van Buren County.. Van Buren County police officials are saying that the collision took place around 7:30 p.m. on April 8. Latest I-94 North Area Michigan News Reports - ezeroad.com Eastbound Interstate 94 near mile marker #41 near Watervliet was closed for hours Friday due to the crash, Michigan State Police said. Thousands of Michiganders lose power again, Drugs believed to be factor in collision that killed Michigan road worker, 11-year-old girl recovering after being shot in Lansing, Judge: Oxford Schools, staff immune from shooting lawsuits. Traffic is being detoured through westbound I-94 to the Airport Road interchange, then to eastbound I-94 to U.S.127/M-50/West Avenue. I-94. Besides the diverging diamond interchange, the I-94 project includes work on the Elm Road interchange with roundabouts and the Lansing Avenue bridge over I-94. I-94. 0 Interstate 94 Michigan . The Michigan State Police ask all drivers to use extra caution while traveling during the holiday weekend. They often have to respond to emergencies at high rates of speed. 23, 2022 at 2:25 PM PDT YPSILANTI TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WILX) - A rollover collision on I-94 killed one person and injured another Monday afternoon. Most of the rain could be freezing rain in ice storm area. Concord Michigan I-94 And Concord Rd. Michigan State Police are investigating a fatal pedestrian crash in Allen Park early Saturday morning. According to authorities, the crash happened on the eastbound lanes of I-94 in Ypsilanti Township, just west of the Huron Street exit. A Ford F-150 pickup and a semitrailer crashed on westbound I-94 near exit 52. The Michigan Department of Transportation is closing the westbound I-94 ramp to U.S. 127/M-50/West Avenue at 9 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 10. JACKSON, MI Drivers will see intermittent lane closures on I-94 again this week in Jackson County. The driver of the at-fault vehicle reportedly fled the scene, and the mans vehicle remained in the center lane of the freeway, blocking oncoming traffic. CALHOUN COUNTY, MI State police are investigating a fatal crash on eastbound I-94 near Beadle Lake Road. Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) crews will be setting steel bridge beams on the Grand River overpass above I-94 this weekend, if the weather cooperates. The freeway reopened to the public a little after 11 a.m. EB I-94 in SW Michigan reopens after crash involving 9 semis Among those, eastbound I-94 at mile marker 41 in Berrien County is shutdown to a semi-tractor trailer crash, according to a tweet from MSP. Cassidy Johncox is a senior digital news editor covering stories across the spectrum, with a special focus on politics and community issues. A $32.5 million resurfacing project has begun on I-94 in Macomb County and will take several months to complete. A tanker that was being driven too fast for the wintry conditions in Detroit crashed into the I-94 median, spilled debris and fuel all over the highway, and caused a secondary crash, according to police. The employment status of the truck driver should be determined. A 23-year-old man from Ann Arbor was killed early on Thursday after a crash on I-94. Watervliet is in northeastern Berrien County, between Coloma and Hartford, about 12 miles east of Benton Harbor. You should speak with a licensed attorney about your particular case. Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement, Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your Privacy Choices and Rights (each updated 1/26/2023). The closure is taking place for workers to set an overhead sign support. Existing Clients, Adjusters and Providers. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. From 2011-2020, 454 officers died due to motor vehicle related incidents (struck by and crashes) 33% of all line-of-duty deaths (excluding COVID-19 deaths). Police officers are uniquely vulnerable for a number of reasons. According to police, the crash happened on I-94 near Chatsworth Road around 4:30 a.m. on Monday. The crash is still under investigation. Pursuant to Michigan Vehicle Code Section 627(1), all persons operating a vehicle on a highway shall operate their vehicle at a speed that would be reasonable and prudent given the prevailing conditions of the roadway. Most areas in the ice storm warning will have this ice accumulation range. Interstate 94 (I-94) is a part of the Interstate Highway System that runs from Billings, Montana, to the Lower Peninsula of Michigan. State police. The longest a thick ice accumulation should last in Ann Arbor, Detroit, Jackson and Kalamazoo is 15 hours, but could be as short as 10 hours. The crash happened early Saturday morning on I-94 Freeway and Cadieux in Detroit. The ramp is expected to reopen at 5 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 10. 2 semi-trucks crash on I-94 killing both drivers in Washtenaw County A 30-year-old man, from Osseo in Hillsdale County, was driving west on I-94 around mile marker 149 at roughly 6:35 p.m. March 1, when he attempted to merge into the right lane, according to Michigan State Police. Heres whats been accomplishedInitial work as the project resumes will focus on preparing to shift westbound I-94 traffic onto the eastbound I-94 roadway between US-127/West Avenue and the easterly junction of I-94 and US-127. Michigan Auto Law has compiled a list of the most dangerous intersections based on police car accident reports for 2021. Have your personal injury questions answered, 18650 MacArthur Blvd., Ste 300 Irvine, CA 92612, 11601 Wilshire Blvd #500West Los Angeles, CA 90025. If you need help with the Public File, call (313) 222-0566. The lane closures will allow crews t safely remove temporary concrete barriers and replace pavement markings, officials said. JACKSON, MI Work on I-94 in Jackson County has resumed after a two-month winter break. Gretchen Whitmers Rebuilding Michigan program to rebuild the state highways and bridges that are critical to the states economy and carry the most traffic. The man was driving a passenger van around 6:45 a.m. on Jan. 25, on the Beadle Lake Road ramp onto eastbound I-94 in Emmett Township, Michigan State Police said. The crash happened . Tell us what happened and we will call you. No information was provided about the conditions of the occupants of the vehicle or vehicles in the second crash. GRASS LAKE TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WILX) - Troopers from the Michigan State Police Jackson Post investigated a serious injury crash Wednesday at approximately 6:35 p.m. on westbound I-94 near mile marker . Both the 58-year-old and 39-year-old remain hospitalized and are being treated for serious injuries. State police investigating the scene said a sedan struck a pickup truck, causing it to crash into a semi-truck in the center lane of westbound I-94, in the area of Beech Daly. Wrong-way driver causes multi-car crash on I-94, leaves 55-year-old dead Sheriff Schuette said a Ford passenger car was traveling in the wrong direction going eastbound in the westbound lanes.. Nov 16, 2022 04:46am. Our latest best model on temperature forecasting still shows a warm-up over the ice storm area, but only to 35 degrees to 40 degrees. I-94 Accidents/Incidents - Roadnow Related: The new diverging diamond interchange is open at I-94, U.S. 127. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. If it is freezing rain, it will turn everything into a sheet of ice. Firefighters responded to reports of bridge issues before 6 p.m., Dec. 15 on eastbound I-94 at Stone School Road in Ann Arbor, said the City of Ann Arbor Fire Department. Two semi truck drivers dead after a fiery crash on I-94 in Washtenaw County The freeway was closed for around 9 hours. A Ford F-150 pickup and a semitrailer crashed on westbound I-94 near exit 52. The ramp from Portage Road to westbound I-94 will close Monday, Feb. 27, so crews can rebuild the ramp and lanes, according to a news release from the Michigan Department of Transportation. The Michigan State Police were assisted by Grass Lake Fire Department and Jackson Community Ambulance. Alcohol is believed to be a factor, according to Michigan State Police. Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 734-287-5000. More from The Ann Arbor News:Robotics event hosted by Ann Arbor District Library serves as tune-up for seasonLegal agreement with township allows 159-acre solar farm in rural Washtenaw County to go aheadUniversity of Michigan dorm plans may be opportunity for Treeline trailSentencing for Michigan DT Mazi Smith delayed until after end of season, ANN ARBOR, MI - The top of a Jeep carried by a car hauler was removed after striking an I-94 underpass Thursday in Ann Arbor, officials said. According to Michigan State Police, a driver driving westbound I-94 near Oakwood Boulevard saw a 40-year-old man from Hamtramck walking in his lane of travel around 6:30 a.m. All rights reserved (About Us). YPSILANTI TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WILX) - A rollover collision on I-94 killed one person and injured another Monday afternoon. When DPD arrived, they discovered the driver of one of the vehicles was dead as a result of multiple gunshot wounds. 2023 The Detroit News, a Digital First Media Newspaper. JACKSON, MI An I-94 ramp in Jackson County is closing for rebuilding. The Michigan Department of Transportation is closing single westbound lanes of the highway from U.S. 127 to Airport road from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 13, and 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 14. Temperatures will warm above freezing today across southern Lower Michigan before crashing back below 32 degrees after sunset. The driver of the semi-truck was not injured. Related: State police investigating I-94 fatal crashThe driver lost control on the ramp, the van rolled down an embankment and rolled over, police said. At 8:45 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 8, a Saline police officer attempted to stop a speeding driver who immediately fled the traffic stop, Saline Police Chief Marlene Radzik said. A dangerous winter storm is likely to wreak havoc on all forms of travel on Friday in Southeast Michigan. Michigan. Four southwest Michigan residents were sent to three different hospitals after a head-on collision in Cass County this morning. JACKSON COUNTY, MI A section of I-94 is being closed to a single lane in Jackson County. Witnesses told troopers a semi-truck traveling west on I-94 was cut off by another vehicle. Gretchen Whitmers Rebuilding Michigan program to rebuild the state highways and bridges that are critical to the states economy and carry the most traffic. Drivers will be alerted to the lane closures by a portable changeable message sign. According to Michigan State Police, on Friday, a 21-year-old man was driving westbound on I-94 near Harper Avenue when he was struck by another car. According to the Michigan State Police . DETROIT -- Michigan State Police are investigating a fatal shooting that took place Sunday night on westbound I-94 between Moross and Cadieux roads. Firefighters and paramedics were called to the scene of the collision in order to help the victim. After being treated for their injuries, the three suspects, 19, 21 and 23, were taken to the Washtenaw County Jail to await robbery charges, Radzik said. Gretchen Whitmers Rebuilding Michigan program to rebuild the state highways and bridges that are critical to the states economy and carry the most traffic. By anonymous 69 Michigan State Police were assisted by Grass Lake Fire Department and Jackson Community Ambulance. Rollover crash on I-94 kills 1, injures another - WILX Robin loves to be pettedFormer Jackson mayor among 2 elected to Jackson School Board. Early investigation indicates the driver, a 24-year-old man, was weaving and speeding through . The Michigan Department of Transportation is closing single lanes on eastbound I-94 from Airport Road to M-106 (Cooper Street) from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, Dec. 16. The crash was reported around 7 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 25. Sarah Cantrell, 73, of Lake Station, Indiana was in the back seat and died at a South Bend hospital. Michigan State Police investigates fatal pedestrian crash on I-94 At about 8:23 a.m. Tuesday, deputies responded to a two-vehicle crash on . Debris from the crash spread into the westbound lanes and caused a second crash, according to a news release from Michigan State Police. 2 seriously injured in alcohol-related crash on I-94 Northern Lower Michigan will see up to a few additional inches with freezing drizzle mixing in as well. Traffic is being detoured to northbound Airport Road to eastbound Springport Road, then to southbound U.S. 127/M-50 to reenter eastbound I-94. Police urged motorists to avoid the area.