Wrong-way driver kills 4, including self, and critically injures 1 on I-75

ROYAL OAK — An individual driving the wrong way at approximately 2:50 a.m. July 28 on Interstate 75, near 11 Mile Road, crashed into a minivan, which killed the wrong-way driver and three people in the minivan, and left one person, who had been in the minivan, critically injured, according to Michigan State Police.

On July 29, Michigan State Police released more information about the individuals involved in the crash. MSP also stated that it had notified the families of the dead. 

Killed in the minivan, a Dodge Caravan, was a 34-year-old man from Troy, a 54-year-old man from Mexico and a 71-year-old man from Mexico.

The critically injured passenger who was in the Caravan is a 31-year-old woman from Troy. Police said she remains hospitalized and is expected to survive. 

The at-fault driver was in a black Volkswagen. He has been identified as a 29-year-old man from Oak Park. 

The Michigan State Police Detroit Regional Communications Center reportedly had started receiving calls about the wrong-way driver, and then received calls that the driver had crashed. Royal Oak police arrived at the scene, where they confirmed the crash and began ramping vehicles off the freeway to secure the scene, according to the Michigan State Police Second District X account.

The Oak Park man reportedly was driving north in the southbound lanes of I-75 when he crashed into the Dodge Caravan.

When Royal Oak police arrived at the scene, the Volkswagen was on fire and “there were numerous victims,” according to the X post.

All those who died were pronounced dead at the scene. The Troy woman was transported to a local hospital. 

I-75 was closed for six hours for the crash investigation and cleanup.

As of July 29, MSP said the medical examiner had completed the initial examination, and MSP said it is waiting for the toxicology report and other reports. Troopers are continuing to investigate the crash, including where the at-fault driver might have entered the freeway.