A marked Detroit Police Department scout car slammed into a white Chevrolet Malibu just after 9:30 p.m. Sunday at the intersection of Gunston Avenue and Nashville Street on the city’s east side, leaving multiple people injured and debris scattered across the block outside a neighborhood liquor store. Neighbors say the crash only confirmed long-standing worries about safety at that corner.
According to ClickOnDetroit, surveillance video shared by store employees shows a white Chevrolet Malibu attempting a left turn onto Nashville as a marked DPD scout car traveled northbound on Gunston. The vehicles collided outside Handy's Liquor, sending debris into the roadway. The outlet reports two officers were taken to a hospital after the crash and that the cause remains under investigation. Store staff provided the footage to reporters.
As reported by CBS Detroit, the Detroit Fire Department said one person declined transport while the other four injured people were taken to Henry Ford St. John Hospital. CBS notes the crash happened around 9:37 p.m. and that police said the passenger vehicle turned in front of the scout car. Hospital officials described the injuries as non-life-threatening.
Nearby residents described the intersection as dangerous and renewed calls for traffic calming. "It's been a hot spot since before we actually moved here," Latrice Curtis told ClickOnDetroit, adding that she previously asked the city for speed bumps and would like one placed closer to the corner. With another crash added to the block's record, neighbors said they hope for more targeted calming measures.
Corner's Violent History Sharpens Worries
The stretch of Nashville Street near Gunston has seen serious violence before, a fact neighbors cite when they call for more safety measures. In 2017, a drive-by there left multiple people shot, as reported at the time by FOX 2 Detroit, and residents say that history contributes to the corner's reputation as a hot spot.
Investigation Continues
Police say the passenger vehicle turned in front of the scout car, according to CBS Detroit, and investigators are reviewing the scene. Authorities have not released additional details about citations or charges as the probe continues.
