ROYAL OAK, Mich. – A semi truck tried to pass a backup in the left lane of I-75 in Oakland County and barreled into a cop car parked at a crash scene, sending that car 100 yards into a second one and forcing state troopers to jump over the median wall to avoid being run over.
The crash happened around 12:05 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 12, 2024, in the southbound lanes of I-75 near 11 Mile Road in Royal Oak.
State police investigating crash on I-75
Three Michigan State Police troopers were investigating a crash near the 11 Mile Road ramp and had parked their patrol cars on the left shoulder and in the left lane with their emergency lights on to shield the crash scene.
Two troopers were standing on the left shoulder, speaking with the drivers involved in the crash. Another was in a patrol car writing the crash report, officials said.
Semi crashes into police car
The driver of a semi truck tried to use the left lane to pass the traffic that was slowing down and exiting the freeway, police said.
The driver saw the patrols blocking the lanes and hit the brakes for both the tractor and the trailer, officials said. That caused the driver to lose control, and the semi truck crashed into the first patrol car, sending it more than 100 yards into the back of a second patrol car.
That second patrol car is where the trooper writing up the crash report was sitting, and he suffered minor injuries.
The semi truck continued barreling down the left shoulder, heading toward the two troopers and a tow truck driver who were near the scene of the original crash. They had to jump the median wall to avoid being hit by the semi, state police said.
Officials said the semi truck finally came to rest after crashing into an empty car that was involved in the first crash.
“This incident had everything we have been talking about this last month,” Michigan State Police Lt. Mike Shaw said. “First, a crash caused by risky driving behavior. Second, a driver going too fast, failing to move over for emergency vehicles, and striking the patrol cars and people on the scene.”
Trooper treated, semi driver arrested
The injured trooper was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment and released. Nobody else was hurt.
Police arrested the semi truck driver on suspicion of reckless driving.
Officials shut down the freeway to investigate both crashes, but it has since reopened.
“Responding troopers had to remove pedestrians from the freeway ramps who were trying to take photos for their favorite social media platform," Shaw said. “We are continuing to ask drivers to slow down, move over, drive safe, and please do not walk on the freeway.”