In an early morning incident on August 2, a Michigan State Police patrol car was struck by an allegedly impaired driver as troopers worked to divert traffic off a flooded Southfield Freeway near Grand River Avenue. The episode occurred approximately at 2:25 a.m., as confirmed by FOX 2 Detroit, during efforts to manage the consequences of heavy rain that had caused flooding across multiple Metro Detroit freeways and surface streets.
MSP troopers had set up cones and activated emergency lights on their patrol cars to safely manage the detour. The driver, a 33-year-old man driving a Lincoln, reportedly failed to adhere to the roadblocks, speeding straight into the patrol vehicle that was unoccupied at that time. According to a statement obtained by Audacy, the driver registered at three times the legal alcohol limit upon arrest.
"We are very fortunate that no one was hurt in this crash," Michigan State Lt. Mike Shaw expressed relief in a statement reported by CBS Detroit. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by impaired driving, particularly in adverse conditions where the erratic behavior can compound already hazardous situations.
The impaired driver was promptly taken into custody without sustaining injuries and was lodged at the Detroit Detention Center. Lt. Mike Shaw underscored the preventable nature of such an event, saying, "This is another example of the preventable crashes we are seeing due to risky driving behaviors on our roadways," in a discussion recounted by FOX 2 Detroit. While this specific stretch of freeway has been reopened, officials continue to urge drivers to exercise caution, especially given the remaining flooded areas throughout the region.
