Teen killed, man critically hurt when SUV hits Ypsilanti fire truck on I-94

YPSILANTI, Mich. – A deadly crash involving a fire truck Monday night had closed westbound lanes of I-94 at Grove Street in Ypsilanti for several hours while Michigan State Police did the accident investigation.

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The crash happened around 11:15 p.m. Monday. The Ypsilanti Fire Department says one of its rigs was assisting in an earlier rollover accident when a Ford Escape slammed into the back of the fire truck.

A teen in the Escape was killed, a man is at the hospital in critical condition and a third person suffered minor injuries.

UPDATE: 15-year-old girl killed when SUV hits Ypsilanti fire truck on I-94

No firefighters were hurt.

Fire truck badly damaged

Firefighters needed to use the Jaws of Life to help the crash victims. However, the truck was so badly damaged in the rear that firefighters could not get to the Jaws of Life. 

"Frustrating ... it's a hard thing knowing that people need immediate help and you're not able to assist the victims," said Ypsilanti Fire Chief Max Anthouard.

The Ypsilanti Township Fire Department was called to bring another fire engine so they could use their Jaws of Life. 

The cause of the crash is under investigation.

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About the Author:

Nick joined the Local 4 team in February of 2015. Prior to that he spent 6 years in Sacramento covering a long list of big stories including wildfires and earthquakes. Raised in Sterling Heights, he is no stranger to the deep history and pride Detroit has to offer.