A tragic sequence of events on I-75 in Oakland County, Michigan led to one fatality and multiple injuries over the weekend. A 24-year-old woman from Alpena was killed when a driver plowed into a group of people who had stopped to exchange information after an earlier four-car crash, as reported by ClickOnDetroit. The collisions took place in a construction zone on southbound I-75 near Holly Road in Springfield Township.
The trouble began with a hit-and-run incident around 1:15 p.m. on Saturday, which involved four vehicles in the initial crash. Those involved in the initial crash got out of their vehicles, which was when the second driver struck the stopped vehicles, causing a chain reaction that led to the pedestrians' injuries, according to the information provided by Mid-Michigan NOW. Following the collision that resulted in the fatality and injuries, another person sustained a compound fracture and was treated on the scene by troopers with a tourniquet.
In light of the accidents, Michigan State Police First Lt. Mike Shaw issued advice to drivers involved in crashes. "Please remember to move your vehicles out of travel lanes, if possible," Shaw stated, as mentioned in a report by ClickOnDetroit. "If they can’t be moved, stay in your car with your seatbelt fastened. Call 911 and we will help make the area safe and get you off the roadway."
Due to the severity of the crash, Michigan Department of Transportation closed the northbound lanes of I-75 between M-15 and the Dixie Highway. This caused the northbound traffic to shift to the southbound side where two lanes remained open, as detailed in the incident report from abc12. MSP continues to investigate both the initial hit-and-run and the secondary crash, while also looking for the driver responsible for the first crash.
Police have not yet provided a description of the vehicle involved in the hit-and-run. The condition of the third person who sustained minor injuries and the driver who caused the second crash has been updated to non-life-threatening. Both were hospitalized following the incidents. Michigan State Police are urging anyone with information to come forward as the investigation persists, with updates anticipated as new details emerge.
