GAINES TOWNSHIP, Mich. — A 21-year-old Kentwood man was left in critical condition Monday morning after his car crossed the median on M-6 and slammed into a box truck traveling in the opposite direction, according to Michigan State Police.
How the Crash Unfolded Near Kalamazoo Avenue
The crash unfolded around 8:25 to 8:30 a.m. on eastbound M-6 near Kalamazoo Avenue in Gaines Township, just south of Grand Rapids. Troopers say the young driver was headed west in a Toyota Camry when he lost control of the car. His vehicle first struck a westbound Honda Accord driven by a 22-year-old man from Lowell.
From there, the Camry crossed the median into the eastbound lanes, where it collided head-on with a box truck driven by a 35-year-old Grand Rapids man. The impact left the Kentwood driver with critical injuries, and he was rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment. Investigators have not released an update on his condition since the crash.
Neither the driver of the Honda Accord nor the driver of the box truck suffered any injuries in the collision, police confirmed. Michigan State Police say alcohol is believed to have played a role in causing the crash, though the investigation remains ongoing and no charges have been announced.
Highway Shut Down for Hours During Monday Morning Commute
The crash forced a lengthy shutdown of one of West Michigan’s busiest highways during the Monday morning commute. All lanes of eastbound M-6 near U.S. 131 were closed for several hours as crews worked the scene and cleared wreckage. The Michigan Department of Transportation also closed the ramp connecting northbound US-131 to eastbound M-6 while crews handled the aftermath.
Drivers in the area faced significant delays and were urged to find alternate routes while the highway remained shut down. The roadway did not fully reopen until just before noon, roughly three and a half hours after the initial 911 calls came in.
Traffic cameras and MDOT’s online mapping system showed backups stretching for miles as commuters were rerouted around the closure. Emergency crews, including fire and medical personnel, worked to clear both vehicles and assess the scene before reopening the lanes to normal traffic flow.
Investigation Remains Active as Troopers Gather More Evidence
Michigan State Police say the investigation into the wrong-way crash is still active, and more details could be released as troopers continue gathering evidence. So far, no additional charges or citations have been made public connected to the crash.
The incident adds to a string of recent serious crashes across West Michigan highways this summer, with troopers continuing to remind drivers about the dangers of impaired and distracted driving, especially during high-traffic travel periods.
Anyone with information about the crash or who may have witnessed the collision is encouraged to contact Michigan State Police as the investigation moves forward. Authorities have not said whether any additional witnesses have come forward since the crash occurred Monday morning.
