CHOCOLAY TOWNSHIP, MI— Several people were injured when inclement weather led to a multiple-vehicle accident in Marquette County Friday.
Around 1:32 p.m., Chocolay Township Police were called to M-28 near the county line.
Prior to that, Chocolay Township Police and Fire had been called to a single-vehicle rollover. The fire department was at the scene assisting the wrecker driver in removing the vehicle. Weather conditions in the area were severe, and whiteout conditions created poor visibility.
Police say there was a traffic backup due to the previous accident. Several vehicles approaching the accident failed to notice the backup, began losing control, and struck other vehicles. A Chocolay Township Fire officer and the tow truck driver ran to assist one of the drivers of the accident. While assisting that driver, the vehicle they were at was struck by another vehicle. This caused the first vehicle to strike the CTFD officer and the tow truck driver.
Approximately 16 other vehicles became involved in the accident.
Chocolay Township Police, Michigan State Police, the Marquette County Sheriff’s Office, and the Marquette City Police Department responded to the area. Several units shut down M-28 to prevent further injuries.
Several patients were transported to UPHS Marquette and Munising Memorial Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
Chocolay Township was also assisted at the scene scene by Michigan DNR Officers, Marquette Township Fire, Marquette Township EMS, Marquette City Fire, UPHS EMS, Alger County EMS, Marquette County Rescue 131, Porky’s Towing, Antilla’s Towing, Mickey’s Towing, Goodwins Towing, J and J Recycling and numerous other agencies and citizens.
After the accident Marq-Tran transported drivers and occupants to Chocolay Township, where Marquette County Emergency Management had set up a temporary Shelter. Marquette County Victim Services was called in to assist the parties involved.
Chocolay Township would like to thank all the agencies and citizens that responded to help in our time of need. It would not be possible to handle these types of calls without the support that we received.
Chocolay Township Police and Fire would like to remind drivers to slow down and give plenty of space to other drivers during winter driving.
