Motorists Crash Into State Police Cars in Wayne County
Wayne County, MI – Two motorists crashed into Michigan State Police (MSP) vehicles on Friday night in separate incidents that raised concerns about road safety. The accidents occurred between Detroit and Romulus, and thankfully, no serious injuries were reported.
First Incident in Detroit
In the first incident at about 7:25 p.m., a state police sergeant was handling a traffic stop along southbound M-10. The sergeant had his emergency lights activated and was parked on the right shoulder when a 27-year-old woman from Detroit impacted his patrol vehicle. According to investigators, the woman had switched lanes in her Jeep SUV to avoid a stopped car in front of her.
As the woman attempted to navigate through traffic, she lost control of her vehicle. In a series of unfortunate events, she swerved onto the right shoulder, struck a wall, and then hit the back of the police car. The sergeant was taken to a local hospital with minor injuries. Fortunately, the woman driving the Jeep was unharmed. Investigators ruled out impairment as a contributing factor in this accident.
“Not the way we wanted to start the holiday weekend,” said 1st Lt. Mike Shaw in a post on social media. “Fortunately, the sergeant only had minor injuries. The at-fault driver was cited for the crash. Please drive safely this weekend!”
Second Incident in Romulus
Just around the same time, another patrol car was involved in a crash on Wick Road near Shook Road in Romulus. An MSP trooper had been called in to provide backup to Romulus police who were dealing with a chaotic situation involving a large fight. Some suspects had fled into a wooded area, and the trooper had parked his vehicle facing west with lights flashing, intending to assist in the apprehension of those involved.
As the trooper stepped out of his vehicle, a 17-year-old girl from Inkster sideswiped the patrol car, causing minor damage. Reports indicate that the teenager had been distracted by passengers in her vehicle, which led her to cross over the double yellow lines. Thankfully, there were no injuries reported from this incident as well.
Similar to the earlier crash, investigators did not find any evidence of impairment. The teenager has also been cited for her role in the accident. Lt. Shaw commented, “We are continuing to see risky driving behaviors causing preventable crashes. Fortunately, no one was hurt in this crash, but this is the second patrol car that will be out of service for repairs tonight. Please pay attention out there!”
Raising Awareness for Road Safety
These two incidents highlight an ongoing issue regarding road safety, particularly concerning the safety of law enforcement officers who are often placed in harm’s way while carrying out their duties. It serves as a reminder to the public about the importance of staying aware and attentive while driving, especially near emergency vehicles with their lights flashing.
With holiday traffic increasing, motorists are urged to take extra precautions and drive safely as they navigate through busy roadways. The MSP continues to emphasize the need for cautious driving behaviors to prevent collisions and ensure the safety of both drivers and law enforcement personnel.
