Henry Ford doctor hit while helping crash victims on I-96 dies

Dr. Cynthia Ray dies Wednesday after being hospitalized in I-96 crash

DETROIT – A Henry Ford Hospital doctor who was hit by a car Sunday morning while helping crash victims on I-96 died Wednesday night, officials confirmed.

Dr. Cynthia Ray was one of three people hospitalized Sunday after a crash on eastbound I-96. Ray and another person, Sean English, a junior at University of Detroit Jesuit High School, got out of their vehicles to help crash victims when a driver lost control and hit them.

Ray died around 9:30 p.m. Wednesday at the hospital, officials said.

Ray and English had stopped to help six teens inside a Jeep that had struck the median along eastbound I-96 near Fullerton and rolled over. English's parents also got out of the car to help, but they were not injured when another vehicle hit English and Ray.

English, a student athlete with success in cross country, had to have his foot amputated. Police said a state trooper may have saved his life by using a tourniquet to stop bleeding.

Ray, a pulmonologist at Henry Ford Hospital, suffered a severe head injury and underwent neurosurgery at Sinai-Grace Hospital.

Teen driver also in critical condition

State police said the 17-year-old driver lost control, spun out and hit English and Ray, who were on foot. State police said he may have been drinking. However, the teen's family said he was on his way to work Sunday morning and was not drunk. 

The teen driver was unresponsive after the crash and had to be cut from this vehicle with the Jaws of Life. He remains in critical condition. His family said he suffered swelling of the brain and a fracture in his vertebrae.

Here's a statement from the family: 

"First and foremost, our family is asking for prayers for all the victims and their families who were involved in the horrific accident. We would also like to thank those involved in the accident who went above and beyond their duties to save lives. The family would like to clarify and provide an update on our family member's condition. The 17-year-old son was on his way to work Sunday morning. He was not intoxicated which was proven by the toxicology reports which was given to us by the hospital. He is currently in critical condition and suffers with two brain bleeds and swelling of the brain along with a fracture in his vertebrae. As you can imagine, this is devastating to all the victims and their families. Please keep them in your prayers and thoughts as we continue through this process."

The family said the toxicology report was shown to them but the hospital didn't release it because "it's hospital policy to not release it until the driver is discharged."

Henry Ford Statement on Doctor Ray

We were so saddened to hear the news about Dr. Cynthia Ray. Ray has been with the Henry Ford family since 2005 and is widely known as a stellar physician and kind, compassionate colleague. Our thoughts and prayers are with Dr. Ray’s family and the entire Henry Ford pulmonary team. 

High school outpours support for English family

Staff at University of Detroit Jesuit describe English as a wonderful young man who had dreams of running cross country in college. 

"He's just an all-around great young man. He's actually running for student senate," said Chris Charbeneau, the school's music director. "All I know is that his parents said this will be a very long road. There will be several surgeries coming up, I know, because his lower body was really, really hurt. I can't imagine how Sean will feel once he's aware what's going on. I was impressed with his parents, with how grateful they were that their son is still here."

The school tweeted this Monday morning: 

If you'd like to help the English family, you can visit this GoFundMe page. 

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. 

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About the Author:

Derick is the Lead Digital Editor for ClickOnDetroit and has been with Local 4 News since April 2013. Derick specializes in breaking news, crime and local sports.