Man flags down drivers on I-96 to warn them of 40 car Fowlerville pileup

LIVINGSTON COUNTY, Mich. (WJBK) - A man who drove up on the massive, deadly pileup on Interstate 96 Thursday morning says a Good Samaritan was running through the median, alerting drivers to the danger ahead.

Nick Alexander was on westbound I-96, heading to Grand Rapids, when he saw the Good Samaritan around 9:50 a.m. Alexander says he was probably goind around 55 or 65 mph, as the conditions didn't seem too bad to him. He looked out, though, and all of a sudden saw a gentleman running across the median.

"It kinda took me by surprise so I started slowing down. He was flagging people like, telling them really to slow down," Alexander says. "So, I started pumping my brakes and I realized the road was almost clear ice, and I kind of fishtailed around the road."

Alexander says the accident scene was maybe 300 yards ahead of him.

"I was very fortunate that gentleman took the time and the effort to run across the median like that. He probably saved a few lives and some injuries for sure," Alexander says.

Alexander says a few semi trucks were in front of him, so he couldn't really see the accident all too well, but he remembers seeing cars in the median, multiple firetrucks and ambulances and people running around.

Alexander says he could tell the conditions were dangerous, so he didn't want to leave his vehicle to try and track down the Good Samaritan to thank him.

The Fowlerville Fire Department says at least 40 cars were involved in the pileup. Three people have been confirmed dead. Crews are still working to rescue other drivers and passengers still trapped.

Officials say both sides of I-96 between Owasso and Nicholson will be closed until at least 1 p.m. Thursday.

This is a developing story. Stay with FOX 2 for updates.