Last Thursday's walk along westbound I-96 in Redford Township ended in tragedy when a 40-year-old woman was struck and killed near the Telegraph Road and Beech Daly Road exits, authorities said. Investigators shut down lanes on the freeway while they worked the scene, and Michigan State Police troopers assisted Redford Township officers. Police have not said why the woman was on the freeway.
Troopers were called to the westbound I-96 between Telegraph and Beech Daly around 7:35 p.m., according to WWJ Newsradio 950. The station reports the victim, described by authorities as a 40-year-old woman, was pronounced dead at the scene, and detectives began piecing together what led up to the crash.
The Metro Detroit News also reported that authorities were investigating, with detectives processing the crash site and echoing Michigan State Police in noting that officials had not immediately explained why the pedestrian was on the freeway.
Investigation and freeway closure
The crash remains under investigation, and no arrests have been announced as of last Thursday, according to WWJ Newsradio 950. Westbound traffic was diverted, and the Telegraph Road exit was closed while detectives collected evidence and cleared damaged vehicles from the scene.
Pedestrian safety in Michigan
Statewide, officials say cases like this fit into a troubling pattern. Traffic fatalities and pedestrian-involved crashes in Michigan ticked up in 2024, with more than 2,100 pedestrian-involved crashes recorded that year, according to the Michigan State Police. The agency and the Office of Highway Safety Planning say making roads safer for people on foot remains a priority for both enforcement and engineering work.
Redford Township police are asking anyone who witnessed the crash or has dash-cam video from the area to contact their department. The Redford Township Police Department lists its public phone number as 313-387-2551 on the township website, according to Redford Township.
Authorities are urging anyone with information to come forward as detectives continue their work. This story will be updated as police release additional details.
