HARTFORD TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WOOD) — One person was seriously injured a pileup on I-94 near Hartford Monday afternoon while lake-effect snow buffeted Southwest Michigan.

Michigan State Police reported the multivehicle crash near mile marker 46 in a social media post around 1:15 p.m. Fourteen passenger vehicles and three semi-trucks were involved and one person was critically injured. There were 15 other slide-offs not related to that crash, MSP said.

Troopers say the crashes and slide-offs were caused by people driving too fast for conditions along with heavy blowing snow that created whiteout conditions.

“Drive safely,” MSP wrote, “heavy snow (is) currently impacting travel.”

The scene of a crash on westbound I-94 near Hartford on Dec. 2, 2024. (Courtesy Michigan State Police)
The scene of a crash on westbound I-94 near Hartford on Dec. 2, 2024. (Courtesy Michigan State Police)
The scene of a crash on westbound I-94 near Hartford on Dec. 2, 2024. (Courtesy Michigan State Police)
The scene of a crash on westbound I-94 near Hartford on Dec. 2, 2024. (Courtesy Michigan State Police)

Both directions of I-94 were initially closed between Watervliet and Hartford, but both lanes have since reopened, the Michigan Department of Transportation interactive map showed.

Winter driving safety tips: Slow down and leave extra space between vehicles. Turn on headlights. Clear all windows, lights and the license plate. Remove distractions.

A winter storm warning was issued for Van Buren, Ottawa, Allegan, Cass and Berrien counties until Tuesday morning, with the chance that some places from about Holland to Benton Harbor could see 6 to 12 inches of snow.

You can submit your snow photos at WOODTV.com/ReportIt.