One dead following series of crashes along I-94

Authorities say one person died and more than a dozen were injured after about 60 vehicles were involved in a series of crashes in snowy weather along Interstate 94 in southwestern Michigan.

The Kalamazoo Gazette reports three people were critically injured and 11 others, including a Van Buren County sheriff’s deputy, had minor injuries following the crashes near Hartford about 2 p.m. Sunday. The deputy was struck by a vehicle while outside of his patrol car while rendering first aid.

An initial eastbound crash involved about 10 vehicles. Semis trucks collided about a quarter-mile west of the initial crash, causing numerous other vehicles to crash. Troopers blamed the crashes on motorists driving too fast for conditions, following too closely and low visibility.

The freeway was closed for about six hours.  (AP)