By: Mary Beth Almond | Rochester Post | Published April 19, 2023
ROCHESTER HILLS — A sergeant from the Michigan State Police was hit by his patrol vehicle after a suspected drunken driver crashed into it while he was directing traffic away from a crash, according to reports.
Officials said the sergeant, of the Michigan State Police Metro South Post, was dispatched to a two-vehicle crash on eastbound Interstate 94, near Livernois Avenue, in Detroit at 2:40 a.m. April 13.
When he arrived on the scene, he parked his patrol car at an angle to direct traffic to exit Livernois. As he got out of his car to direct traffic, a speeding driver reportedly hit the rear of the patrol car, causing it to hit the sergeant.
As a precaution, the sergeant was taken to a hospital and later was released. Police said no one else was injured in the two crashes.
The suspect driver, a 32-year-old woman from Rochester Hills, was arrested on suspicion of impaired driving. She was taken to a local hospital for a blood draw and was lodged in jail. Charges are pending prosecutor review.
“We were very lucky that this sergeant wasn’t more seriously hurt,” Michigan State Police Lt. Mike Shaw said in a statement. “Poor driving decisions are continuing to put everyone in danger on our roads. Please move over for emergency vehicles and don’t drive impaired.”
The crash was still under investigation at press time.