DETROIT – A 20-year-old driver was speeding on I-96 when he lost control, crashed, and suffered third-degree burns after the car caught fire, officials said.
The crash happened around 6:30 a.m. Tuesday, May 23, in the westbound local lanes of I-96 near Evergreen Road in Detroit.
Officials said a 20-year-old Lincoln Park man was driving at a high speed when he lost control of his car and struck the center median. The car then hit a light pole and caught on fire, according to authorities.
The driver suffered third-degree burns on 80% of his body. He was taken to a nearby hospital in critical condition.
Police said the man was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash.
You can see aerial video of the crash scene below.
“We want to remind drivers as we approach the high travel holiday weekend: Slow down and wear your seatbelt,” Michigan State Police Lt. Mike Shaw said. “We know that excessive speeds are leading to a lot of our preventable crashes and drivers not wearing seatbelts also leads to more fatalities.”
The westbound local lanes of I-96 were shut down while firefighters cleared the crash scene. Traffic was backed up for miles, and drivers are asked to avoid the area until it’s reopened.