MSP responds to deadly crash at US-131/M-6 interchange

BYRON TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WOOD) — State police are responding to two crashes around a busy interchange south of Grand Rapids Wednesday morning. Both happened near US-131 and M-6. One crash, which was deadly, happened at southbound US-131 and M-6 in Byron Township, the Michigan State Police said. According to MSP, a 64-year-old Allegan man was driving a semi-truck on M-6. Troopers said the man experienced a medical emergency and crashed into a sedan, which was heading south on US-131. The sedan, which was carrying a 29-year-old woman and a 36-year-old man, crashed into the guardrail and went into the northbound lane, MSP continued. State police told News 8 the driver of the semi-truck died, though it wasn't clear whether he died due to the medical emergency or due to the crash. Troopers could not immediately specify the status of the two people in the sedan. Another crash happened on westbound M-6 near Burlingame Avenue, which is immediately after the US-131 interchange. This crash happened as traffic was slowing down in the area, state police confirmed to News 8. Four vehicles were involved: two semi-trucks and two sedans, according to MSP. Two people suffered critical injuries, troopers said. Drivers are asked to avoid the area as the cleanup and investigation are underway. Troopers reported that multiple lanes and ramps were closed. Westbound M-6 was closed after US-131, as were the ramps from both directions of US-131 to westbound M-6, according to the Michigan Department of Transportation. "Please slow down, remain alert, and give first responders plenty of room to work safely," MSP wrote in a social media post.