Family of three fighting for their lives after truck crash triggers fireball killing four and injuring 14 more
A fiery and fatal Michigan[2] interstate crash horrifically killed four people, injuring an additional 17, including a family of three who were left fighting for their lives.
The Lansing-based VanHorn family were on their way home from what was supposed to be a celebratory night following a successful outing for their son Alex's marching band.
Instead the night took a grim turn, ending in an unexpected fire-riddled nightmare.
Around 11:40 pm on Sunday, a semi-truck loaded to the brim with bananas came up on stopped traffic along 1-96 in Webberville and was unable to brake in time - resulting in a deadly explosion and 15-vehicle pile-up.
'We remember fire and screaming for each other,' Alex's mother, Kim VanHorn, said adding that none of them remember the initial impact.
A fiery crash ensued just before midnight on Sunday on Michigan's I-96 when a semi truck with a trailer full of bananas failed to brake in time, crashing into stopped traffic, killing four and injuring 17
The VanHorn family (from left, Kim VanHorn, Alex VanHorn and Sam VanHorn) were among the 17 injured as a result of the crash
The VanHorn family were on their way home from what was supposed to be a celebratory night following a successful outing for their son Alex's marching band. Instead the night took a grim turn, ending in an unexpected fire-riddled nightmare. Pictured: The VanHorn's at their son Alex's marching band event at Ford Field in Detroit
A nearby gas station caught the incident on film via a surveillance camera. The crash, taking place on Michigan's I-96, resulted in a 15-car pile-up, leaving four dead, 17 injured, including the truck's driver who is being treated for burns amongst other injuries
'The next thing I know, I woke up and had my head to the left, and I remember feeling like a big rush over my head. I looked up and saw a lot of fire and I remember screaming "help," and I couldn't find my husband and I could hear my son screaming that he couldn't get out,' she told WXYZ Detroit[3].
What Kim does remember is the haunting images of her husband lying off in a ditch after being ejected from their vehicle and her son's face inked with blood.
'My husband was in the ditch and he doesn’t remember how he got there. A police officer brought him to me, and I remember hugging him and I remember hugging my son and my son had blood all over his face,' Kim recalled.
A nearby gas station's surveillance cameras captured the crash and the resulting explosion that engulfed several cars.
The gruesome accident claimed the lives of four, who remain unidentified as per Michigan State Police policy, though Troopers have revealed that three of the people killed were two women, aged 20 and 43, and a 47-year-old male.
The driver of the semi-truck, whose name was also not released, was taken to the University of Michigan Medical Center in Ann Arbor for the treatment of burns and other injuries from the crash
Kim remembers the haunting images of her husband lying off in a ditch after being ejected from their vehicle and her son's face inked with blood
The gruesome accident claimed the lives of four, who remain unidentified as per Michigan State Police policy, though troopers have revealed that three of the people killed were two women, aged 20 and 43 and a 47-year-old male. Pictured: Michigan State Department of Transportation crews clean up the wreckage and totaled vehicles after the Sunday night crash
The three victims killed in the crash were traveling in a Chevy Trax and were related, police say.
The fourth victim was a 29-year-old man from Carson City who was driving a Ford F-150 pickup truck, The New York Times[4] reported.
The driver of the semi-truck, whose name was also not released, was taken to the University of Michigan Medical Center in Ann Arbor for the treatment of burns and other injuries from the crash.
As the investigation remains in the early stages and is ongoing, a State Police spokesman said it 'was not immediately clear' what charges, if any, the driver may face.
Following the near-midnight crash, Kim's husband, Sam VanHorn, was admitted to the hospital.
Due to the crash and fire, Sam was treated for a head injury, neck injury, lung injury, fractured ribs, spinal pain, left shoulder pain, right elbow pain, chest wall pain and glass in his eyes.
Kim has since posted an update on her loved ones current conditions on both Facebook and a GoFundMe[5] page created to help the struggling family through their 'very long road of recovery', especially for her husband who suffered the most extreme injuries.
Kim has since posted an update on her loved ones current conditions on both Facebook and a GoFundMe page created to help the struggling family through their 'very long road of recovery', especially for her husband who suffered the most extreme injuries of the three of them
'I was able to see Sam (pictured) tonight. He has multiple things going on. TBI, low blood circulation to his brain, possible neck injury, spinal injury, multiple broken ribs, lung contusion, inflammation, multiple bruises, scrapes and cuts,' she said of her husband's condition
The reason for the fatal traffic build-up was said to be a result of a near $9 billion plan to update equipment to improve the electric reliability of DTE Energy - a Detroit-based energy company - as crews blocked portions of the roadway to string power lines across the interstate
'I was able to see Sam tonight. He has multiple things going on. TBI, low blood circulation to his brain, possible neck injury, spinal injury, multiple broken ribs, lung contusion, inflammation, multiple bruises, scrapes and cuts,' she said of her husband's condition.
Her son however is faring better and was placed on bed rest to help treat the spinal breaks he suffered from the accident. 'He also has severe cuts and bruises on his body,' she wrote.
'I am sore, bruised all over and many cuts and scrapes, including burns on my body,' she said of her own condition.
'But.. we are ALIVE.'
Crews have since been seen clearing heaps of debris and totaled, burned and dismembered vehicles on the westbound lanes of the I-96.
The overpass where the crash happened will reportedly remain closed indefinitely as the State Department of Transportation will inspect it for structural integrity, authorities said.
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'I am sore, bruised all over and many cuts and scrapes, including burns on my body,' she said of her own condition. 'But.. we are ALIVE.' Pictured: Fire can be seen from neighboring roadways as onlookers film the aftermath of the devastating accident
While the road to recovery is far from over, Kim expresses sincere gratitude for all those who have donated to help support the family as well as the rest of the 'band community' as she says, that have provided much needed aid to the VanHorns. Pictured: The VanHorn's at their son Alex's marching band event at Ford Field in Detroit
The reason for the fatal traffic build-up was said to be a result of crews blocking portions of the roadway to string power lines across the interstate.
This roadwork is part of a near $9 billion plan to update equipment to improve the electric reliability of DTE Energy - a Detroit-based energy company.
While the road to recovery is far from over, Kim expressed sincere gratitude for all those who have donated to help support the family as well as the rest of the 'band community' as she says, that have provided much needed aid to the VanHorns.
'The band community, the state of Michigan, I can’t even describe the overwhelming support we have from all of them. It’s just, it’s been amazing,' she said.
'I will continue to keep everyone updated. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.'
The VanHorns' GoFundMe has raised $25,000 toward its $15,000 goal.
New York Times[6]References
- ^ Samantha Rutt For Dailymail.Com (www.dailymail.co.uk)
- ^ Michigan (www.dailymail.co.uk)
- ^ WXYZ Detroit (www.wxyz.com)
- ^ The New York Times (www.nytimes.com)
- ^ GoFundMe (www.gofundme.com)
- ^ New York Times (www.dailymail.co.uk)