No charges in winter's 53-car pileup on I-96 that killed 3 people

The Livingston County prosecutor announced Monday there will be no charges filed in the 53-vehicle December pileup on I-96 that left three people dead.

Prosecutor William Vailliencourt says there is "insufficient evidence to establish culpable conduct" by the drivers involved in the crash. He says the rapid onset of winter weather was a factor.

Investigators in January said a driver traveling too fast for conditions caused the pileup and they anticipated seeking a charge of reckless driving or moving violation causing death. The sheriff's department said in April, however, it wasn't requesting charges.

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The crash happened on Dec. 8 about 55 miles west of Detroit, closing down both directions of I-96 between Owasso and Nicholson, as 50 and 75 emergency workers cleared the scene.

Three people killed were 69-year-old Homer Leon Tew and his wife 62-year-old Theresa O'Connor Tew of Ann Arbor, and semi-truck driver 28-year-old Vitalii Stelmakh of Hollywood, Florida.

Eleven other people were taken to hospitals with non-life-threatening injuries. Most were treated quickly and released.

Lives may have been saved by a Good Samaritan running in the median flagging people, telling them to slow down to avoid becoming part of the massive, deadly pileup.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.