A tragic incident occurred yesterday afternoon when a road worker was fatally hit by a car on I-75 near Springwells in Southwest Detroit. The worker, a 53-year-old man from Lincoln Park, was part of a moving road crew and was placing a flare pattern between construction vehicles in the roadway when the accident happened at approximately 1:40 p.m., as reported by Audacy.
The worker was struck by a 71-year-old Allen Park man driving a Kia sedan who, according to officials, entered the right lane where the road crew was working. The victim was transported to the hospital where, despite medical efforts, he succumbed to his critical injuries, as WXYZ confirmed. In the wake of the crash, traffic was diverted as southbound I-75 remained shut down at I-96 for around five hours, causing significant delays, including hindering access to the Ambassador Bridge, a critical international crossing point.
In response to the fatal event, Michigan State Police First Lt. Mike Shaw emphasized the importance of caution when driving through construction zones. "We want to remind drivers to move over when they see construction vehicles on the side or in the roadway working," Shaw said in a statement obtained by Audacy. The driver of the Kia sedan did stop at the scene of the crash and is cooperating with the ongoing investigation. A report will be submitted to the prosecutor's office to determine potential charges, as advised by police officials.
Michiganders faced additional traffic disruptions due to the closure, with the Michigan Department of Transportation providing alternative routes via Rosa Parks Boulevard and M-85 (Fort Street) as reported by Detroit Free Press. The construction and subsequent investigation affected commuters and travelers, highlighting once more the perils road workers face while maintaining and improving the infrastructure upon which we all so depend.
