1 Person Killed Trying To Push Broken Down Vehicle Across I-94
TAYLOR (WWJ) -- Michigan State Police say that eastbound I-94 has been closed Monday night at Telegraph Road due to a fatal crash.
Lt. Mike Shaw told WWJ Newsradio 950 that a vehicle with two passengers broke down on the left shoulder just before 9 p.m. The vehicle was t-boned when the two people attempted to push it across the freeway from the left shoulder to the right shoulder.
"[The crash] forced the vehicle approximately a quarter mile down the road and into a ditch," Shaw said. "A second vehicle that was also driving on I-94 struck one of the passengers, killing them instantly and injuring the second passenger."
That passenger was taken to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Shaw said that the freeway will be closed until at least 12 a.m. Tuesday morning due to the size of the crash scene.
"We have not notified any next of kin yet, so we won't be releasing any information on the deceased party," Shaw said.
Authorities urge drivers to avoid the area. Shaw talked about what drivers can do to be safe if your vehicle breaks down on the side of the freeway.
"Don't be afraid to call 911," Shaw said. "There are many MDOT courtesy vans that patrol all of Wayne, Oakland and Macomb Counties. A trooper will come by and assist you.
"This is a tragic incident that could've been avoided," Shaw added. "At no time should you try to push your vehicle along on the freeway, especially trying to cross lanes. I think people don't realize just how fast traffic is going until you're out there stuck in it."
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