A fiery crash involving a gasoline tanker and semi-truck shut down US-131 in downtown Grand Rapids for nearly 12 hours over the weekend, leaving behind damaged infrastructure and weeks of lane closures.

The incident occurred Saturday near the I-196 exit ramp in downtown Grand Rapids. According to the Michigan Department of Transportation, a semi-truck carrying 8,000 gallons of gasoline crashed near the Pearl Street exit ramp, sparking an explosion and fire. A second semi-truck, a flatbed carrying lumber and a forklift, was involved in the collision.

Both drivers were taken to local emergency rooms with minor injuries. No life-threatening injuries were reported.

"I still can't believe that no one was seriously hurt," Michigan Department of Transportation Grand Region Communications Director John Richard said.

The Grand Rapids Police Department is still investigating the cause of the crash.

Witness Account

Tony Zaidel, a witness to the crash, described seeing the flatbed truck drive "way too fast for conditions" during heavy rain.

"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 truck began to lose control within a few hundred yards. The truck fishtailed and slammed into the west concrete wall. Moments later, the tanker swerved to avoid hitting the truck that had hit the wall and struck the east concrete wall, where it instantly ignited and exploded.

"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, Zaidel said the tanker driver managed to escape and crawl to safety.

Weeks of Lane Closures

The MDOT said drivers can expect double lane closures on southbound US-131 and a single lane closure on northbound US-131 for weeks as crews repair the damage. The fire damaged the retaining wall and barrier wall along the highway.

Traffic reporter Robb Westaby noted that crashes like this happen with this kind of explosion every few years.

"Oh, man, maybe three, four years. I think it happens with this kind of conflagration every few years. I don't know why," Westaby said.

The highway reopened hours after the incident, but the repairs will keep portions of US-131 closed for an extended period.