HAZEL PARK, Mich. (WXYZ) - The damage is being assessed at 9 Mile Road and I-75 after Wednesday night's massive tanker explosion in Hazel Park.
Northbound and Southbound I-75 is shut down in both directions from 8 mile to I-696 and will remain closed until further notice.
Three vehicles were involved in the accident – the tanker truck, a Meijer semi-truck and a car. The tanker was carrying more than 13,000 gallons of gas and approximately 4,000 gallons of diesel when it exploded right under the 9 Mile overpass.
The intense heat of the explosion forced the overpass to collapse onto the freeway below as hundreds of people watched, stunned by what was happening.
Amazingly, no one was killed. Three people were taken to Beaumont hospital with non-life threatening injuries. They were the 44-year-old tanker driver Michael St. John of Armada, the 38-year-old driver of the Meijer truck Jody Cicero of Monroe, and the 27-year-old driver of the car Saied Haidarian-Shahri of Clawson. All three have been released from the hospital.
Police tell Action News Haidarian-Shahri may have lost control of the vehicle and hit the tanker.
A driver who was stopped at a light just ahead of the overpass, told Action News she saw the explosion and flames engulf the bridge. Mary Greiv says she was "in shock" by what she saw. "Oh my god, I'm so grateful to God that I'm alive because I was right there," Greiv told Action News.
Another witness says she actually felt the explosions from a distance. "I've never been in an earthquake type situation, but I would dare say that's what it felt like - like an aftershock."
WATCH TEAM 7 COVERAGE FROM THE SCENE IN THE VIDEO PLAYER ON THE RIGHT
The Michigan Department of Transportation remains on the scene to assess the damage. It has been determined that the entire 9 Mile bridge over I-75 will have to be rebuilt. The freeway below may also need to be repaired.
The 9 Mile overpass was rebuilt just one year ago; now it will have to be rebuilt again. One of their primary concerns is if any of the fuel made it into the drainage system along the freeway.
At one point 10,000 customers were without power. DTE says all power has since been restored.
Scheduled total closures of I-696 have been cancelled to provide drivers with detour options. Also, No lane closures will be scheduled between I-75 and Woodward Avenue.
STAY WITH ACTION NEWS AND WXYZ.COM FOR THE LATEST DEVELOPMENTS IN THE TANKER EXPLOSION AND CLOSURE OF I-75.
