Driver Dies After Slamming Into Road Maintenance Crew On I-696
SOUTHFIELD (WWJ) - A driver is dead after slamming into a pair of Oakland County road maintenance vehicles on I-696 overnight.
The accident happened around 10:45 p.m. Tuesday on westbound I-696 between Greenfield and Southfield roads in Southfield.
Michigan State Police Lt. Calvin Hart said the accident happened in the freeway's left lane when the driver of a Ford Fusion lost control of his vehicle.
"It involved one vehicle striking two maintenance vehicles that were in the process of cleaning or working on the roadway in that location," Hart told WWJ's Scott Ryan. "We have confirmed that one motorist who was driving the vehicle that struck the two maintenance vehicles did die as a result of this accident."
The driver, described only as a male in his 30s, was declared dead at the scene.
It's not yet clear whether the road workers were inside their vehicles at the time of the crash, but neither were injured.
"It appears that speed may have been a factor in the accident," said Hart.
An investigation is ongoing.
The freeway was closed for several hours as police investigated the scene, but reopened to traffic around 4 a.m. Wednesday.
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