Student athlete, doctor both critically injured trying to help I-96 crash victims in Detroit

University of Detroit Jesuit student, Henry Ford doctor in critical condition

DETROIT – Two people rushed to help car crash victims just after 7:30 a.m. Sunday on eastbound I-96 near the Davison in Detroit.

UPDATE: Henry Ford doctor dies from injuries after being struck on I-96 in Detroit

A Jeep with six teenagers inside had rolled over at Fullerton. A 47-year-old woman who is a doctor at Henry Ford Hospital and 17-year-old Sean English, a junior at University of Detroit Jesuit High School, were driving by. They stopped to help. 

However, the good Samaritans soon became victims themselves when another vehicle struck them. The woman, identified as Dr. Cynthia Ray, was seriously injured. She underwent neurosurgery at Sinai-Grace Hospital. She is in critical condition.

English had to have his foot amputated. Medics credit a Michigan State Trooper with using a tourniquet to stop the bleeding, which likely saved the teen's life. 

The high school tweeted Monday morning:

Driver suspected of being drunk

The driver who hit the woman and teen also is 17 years old. He's suspected of driving drunk. State police said he lost control, spun out and hit English and Ray, who were on foot.

The teen driver was unresponsive after the crash and had to be cut from this vehicle with The Jaws of Life. He's also in critical condition. 

Michigan State Police released this statement Monday: 

In regards to the second crash in which the Good Samaritans were struck, evidence at the scene indicates that alcohol may be a factor in this incident, however, this pends further investigation and toxicology results as to whether the driver had alcohol in his system at the time of the crash. This driver remains in critical condition.

Teens in Jeep OK

Meanwhile, the six teens who were inside the Jeep did not suffer any life-threatening injuries. Their ages range from 14 to 19 years old. It's unclear what made the driver lose control on the Interstate and roll the SUV. State police said the Jeep was traveling in the left lane of eastbound I-96 when it struck the median wall, causing it to roll. 

These crashes remain under investigation. 

University of Detroit Jesuit High School posted this to Twitter:

Students gathered for mass Monday morning at the high school chapel. A few hundred students were there:

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About the Authors

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.

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