Dramatic Highway Scene Leaves Road Closed for Hours

A dramatic crash involving a gasoline tanker that erupted into flames shut down US-131 for nearly 12 hours over the weekend in Grand Rapids, leaving behind damaged infrastructure, unanswered questions, and a firsthand account from a driver who says he witnessed the crash unfold just yards ahead of him.

Authorities have not yet confirmed what caused the crash near the I-196 interchange, and the Grand Rapids Police Department says the investigation remains ongoing. However, witness accounts suggest a speeding flatbed truck may have played a critical role in triggering the disaster.

Tony Zaidel, a driver who was on the highway at the time, described the events that led to the fiery crash:

"I slowed down and got behind the tanker, and then this flatbed semi hauling lumber and a forklift went flying past us way too fast for conditions," Zaidel said. "He threw so much water on me I had to hit the brakes because I couldn't see."

Zaidel said the flatbed began to lose control just a few hundred yards later:

"He starts fishtailing, and then all of a sudden the whole truck turned sideways and slammed into the west concrete wall," he said.

Moments later, according to Zaidel, the tanker driver attempted to avoid the collision:

"The tanker swerved to the left to avoid hitting the truck and trailer that had just hit the wall," he said. "It went right up against the east concrete wall of the freeway and instantly ignited and blew up."

"It was like someone lit a match and the whole thing got big," Zaidel said. "It was a fireball, probably 30 feet in diameter, just instantly."

Despite the explosion, the tanker driver managed to escape. Zaidel said he saw the driver crawling out of the truck:

"I see him crawling, I don't even know how he got out of the truck so fast, but he was on all fours," he said.

Both Drivers Escaped With Minor Injuries

The crash happened after 8 a.m. Saturday morning on southbound US-131, just south of the I-196 overpass in downtown Grand Rapids, according to the Michigan Department of Transportation.

Two semi-trucks were involved in the collision, and both drivers were transported with non-life-threatening injuries to a local emergency room, said Grand Rapids Fire Department Deputy Chief of Operations Jack Johnson.

"There were 8,000 gallons of gasoline in the tanker that crashed up against the wall. It was on fire for quite a bit of time before we were able to get it under control utilizing our fluorine-free foam," Johnson said.

The fire involved hazardous materials, requiring hazmat teams and specialized equipment to contain the blaze. The Grand Rapids Fire Department called for additional resources, including an airport truck that sprays foam.

"We'd like to thank Allendale and Gerald R Ford International Airport crash fire rescue units for their assistance today. It's not normal that we have to call in for outside help, but it's nice to know that we have those resources available to us when we can," Johnson said.

Highway Reopened After 12 Hours

Drivers spent roughly 12 hours using alternate routes around US-131 in downtown Grand Rapids. Northbound lanes were closed at Pearl Street, and southbound US-131 was closed at Leonard. Both directions of the freeway fully reopened by 8:30 p.m., according to FOX 17.

An MDOT spokesperson told reporters that bridge inspectors and engineers were on scene Saturday afternoon, with additional crews heading to the highway to assess damage. The teams cleared the northbound lanes to reopen at 8 p.m. The southbound lanes reopened roughly 24 minutes later.

Highway Damage Will Require Weeks of Repairs

According to WGRD, Highway damage from the fire will require weeks of repairs. Southbound US-131 will have double lane closures, while northbound lanes will see a single lane closure as crews fix a retaining wall and a barrier wall.

The Grand Rapids Fire Department released striking photos of towering flames and thick smoke, showing the severity of the crash. The photos captured the chaos of the scene, the courage of first responders, and the dramatic scale of the fire.

Investigation Continues

The cause of the crash remains under investigation by the Grand Rapids Police Department. While witness accounts suggest a speeding flatbed truck may have played a role, officials have not yet confirmed what triggered the collision between the two semi-trucks.

Both drivers escaped the crash, though the tanker carrying 8,000 gallons of gasoline ignited on impact, creating a massive fireball that required significant resources to extinguish. The involvement of airport crash fire rescue units from Gerald R Ford International Airport underscored the hazardous nature of the incident.