UPDATED: Crash, fire backs up traffic on US-131
KALAMAZOO COUNTY, Mich. (NEWSCHANNEL 3) - Southbound US-131 is closed at exit 36--just after the I-94 Business Loop--due to a tanker fire.
Multiple crews are responding to the incident--we're told from the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety and the Kalamazoo County Sheriff's Department, along with Oshtemo and Texas Township fire departments for assistance.
Officers on scene tell Newschannel 3 that a vehicle was broken down on the side of the road, waiting for a tow truck to arrive, when it was sideswiped by an asphalt truck on its way to pick up a load. At this point, we are not certain as to how this happened.
The driver of the vehicle sustained minor injuries, and the driver of the asphalt truck was not injured.
In the course of the crash, we're told the fuel lines on the asphalt truck were severed, and the truck caught fire as it crashed into the median.
Traffic was closed for several hours on southbound US-131, and was backed up on northbound US-131, as trucks put down sand to soak up fuel from the highway.
One lane was opened on southbound US-131 around 9:30 a.m., and the incident was cleared as of about 9:45.
According to the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety, there are no fatalities.
