A late-night drive on Detroit's west side turned deadly today when a pickup truck rolled over on eastbound Interstate 96 near the Davison Avenue exit, killing the man behind the wheel. Emergency crews said the Detroit driver was thrown from the truck and later pronounced dead at a local hospital.
Michigan State Police said the single-vehicle crash happened around 12:55 a.m. when the eastbound pickup lost control, hit a utility pole on the embankment and rolled, ejecting the 45-year-old driver, according to CBS Detroit. Detroit EMS rushed the man to a nearby hospital, where he died from his injuries, and police said relatives have been notified. All eastbound lanes were shut down for the on-scene investigation and cleanup, and traffic reports cited by CBS said the freeway reopened at about 2:30 a.m.
Why ejection makes rollovers so often deadly
When a vehicle flips, being thrown out of it is one of the most dangerous things that can happen. Federal safety data show that many rollover deaths involve people who are partially or completely ejected. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration notes that wearing a seat belt is the single most effective way to prevent ejection and reduce the risk of death in a rollover, according to NHTSA.
Investigation and traffic ripple effects
State troopers remained on the scene after the crash, working to piece together why the pickup left the roadway. Authorities have not released any additional details on what might have led up to the rollover. The overnight closure briefly backed up traffic on eastbound I-96 while crews removed debris and coordinated with transportation officials to get the freeway fully reopened. Michigan State Police said they plan to release more information as the investigation moves forward.
-2.webp?w=160&h=400&fit=crop&crop=edges)