Nik Rajkovic / news@whmi.com

One person is dead, multiple others injured in a three-car crash that closed down Northbound U.S. 23 near Clyde Road in Hartland early Wednesday morning.

Michigan State Police say a 60-year-old man from Howell slammed into a disabled vehicle stopped along the shoulder around 1:25 am, sending the 33-year-old woman from Grand Blanc and her car rolling into the ditch.

The second car was then struck by a third driver, a 57-year-old woman from Fenton, killing the unidentified man from Howell. Two of his passengers also were hospitalized, one critically.

The other two drivers suffered non-life-threatening injuries.

MSP says alcohol and drugs appear to be a factor in the first crash. The investigation is ongoing.