Debris from the truck accident was strewn across the eastbound lanes of I-96, closing done some of the east traffic lanes while crews cleared the concrete pieces from the damaged median.

At around 6:45 a.m. Thursday morning an unidentified truck driver, hauling a load of steel coils, was headed west on Interstate 96. Each of the steel coils was reported to weigh about 45,000 pounds.

As the truck driver was driving near the area of Kent Lake Road he apparently lost control of his 18 wheeler and crashed into the concrete highway median, sending pieces of concrete flying into the east bound lanes of the interstate.

The roadway surfaces were icy on Thursday morning and there were several spinouts and accidents reported in the area.

After crashing into the median, the tractor trailer truck then jack-knifed across the interstate, and ended up blocking all westbound lanes of the highway, the truck cab appearing to be partially ripped from the trailer flat bed. The truck engine was also shot out of the cab due to the impact of the truck accident. The truck trailer did not lose the load of steel coils, which remained on the truck.

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Local emergency personnel responded to the scene of the truck accident. The truck driver was treated and stabilized at the site and then transported to Providence Hospital in Novi, MI. His injuries are not expected to be life threatening. An unidentified passenger in the truck was also treated and transported to the hospital with non life threatening injuries.

Michigan Department of Transportation officials also responded to the truck accident scene. Debris from the truck accident was strewn across the eastbound lanes of I-96, closing done some of the east traffic lanes while crews cleared the concrete pieces from the damaged median.

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The westbound lanes of the interstate were closed until MDOT crews could remove the tractor trailer truck from the lanes. The crews would work for most of the day removing the wreckage from the highway.

By 4:00 p.m. Thursday afternoon all eastbound and westbound lanes of the interstate were reopened, just in time for the afternoon rush hour.

MDOT investigators are still reviewing the truck accident. While the icy conditions of the interstate surfaces may be a factor, officials have not determined the cause of the accident. The investigation of the truck accident remains open.

No charges or citations have been made at this time.

The trailer truck became airborne and flew about 45 to 50 feet before landing in the parking lot of the water filtration plant.The truck finally came to a stop a few feet from the water of Lake MI.

Shortly before 5:00 a.m. Friday morning, 38 year old Alton Hubbard of Detroit, MI was driving a tractor truck west on Michigan 45/Lake Michigan Dr. Mr. Hubbard drives for Detroit based CVA Enterprise, Inc. and had just made a delivery in Zeeland, MI and was on his way to Ludington, MI to pick up another load.

As Mr. Hubbard approached the intersection with Lakeshore Drive he missed the stop sign and continued to drive forward, crashing into the Lake Michigan-Grand Rapids Water Treatment Plant. The 18 wheeler truck smashed through a row of sand barrels, a wrought iron gate, and a cement barrier.

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The trailer truck became airborne and flew about 45 to 50 feet before landing in the parking lot of the water filtration plant. The tractor truck finally came to a stop just a few feet from the water of Lake Michigan.

Emergency personnel from New Haven and Ottawa County arrived at the truck accident scene and helped to remove Mr. Hubbard from the cab. The truck driver reportedly told officials that he did not see the stop sign at the intersection and traveled through it before crashing into the water plant. He also told officials that he did not remember being in the accident. While some reports said he was asleep at the time of the collision, officials believe there possibly could be a medical reason for the crash.

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The truck driver was treated and stabilized at the scene of the truck collision and then transported to North Ottawa Community Hospital in Grand Haven. Mr. Hubbard was admitted to the hospital with possible internal injuries. No one else was injured and there were no other vehicles involved in the truck accident.

The CVS Enterprise truck was heavily damaged in the truck accident, and the front axle was pulled off of the rig. Two fuel tanks were also ripped from the truck during the accident, and approximately 65 to 70 gallons of diesel fuel had spilled onto the ground. The Ottawa County HazMat team was called in to contain and clean up the fuel spill. The team was able to keep the diesel fuel from getting into the plant’s water system. The water plant had a contractor in Grand Rapid who would handle any additional clean up of the area.

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The Grand Haven Township Fire Department was also helping at the scene. According to Fire Chief Tom Gerencer, the truck accident did not cause any harm to the water filtration plant and would not interfere with normal operations. All emergency crews and workers were finished and left the accident site shortly before 9:00 a.m.

The truck accident is still under investigation. No charges have been made at this time.