This looks like a case of...bad driving!
Not necessary. Only one was killed. This is a combination of heavy lake effect show, wind causing white-out, ice, and dark. I've been in some beauties in NY, PA, and OH in these at night. You think, "Why didn't I wait until this was over?"
If you've ever in that mix, you now it is a white knuckle, pounding heart trip. It can go from pretty good to heavy snow and wind in just a few hundred feet.
You have to drive a few feet away from the tail lights of the vehicle in front of you, hoping they know where they are going.
If you want to get off, you might not be able to see the exit. Pull off to the side? What's there? A drop down? A stopped vehicle. Then you plow into it. Then the guy who followed you plows into you.
A torrential rain storm is similar.
If you've never been in this, close your eyes in traffic for a mile with your eyes closed.