What started as a routine evening drive for a Clinton Township family turned into a highway nightmare on U.S. 23 in Milan Township last Saturday, when a semi truck driver allegedly pulled a gun and opened fire on their vehicle.
The 53-year-old Clinton Township man behind the wheel of a 2012 Hyundai told police he was driving north on U.S. 23 with five family members when a 2019 Peterbilt semi followed them, pulled alongside and the driver pointed a pistol and fired toward their vehicle. Michigan State Police troopers rushed to the area, arrested a suspect at the scene and shut down part of the roadway as it became an active crime scene.
According to ClickOnDetroit, the call came in around 7 p.m. on May 30 from the Hyundai driver, who reported the 33-year-old Clinton Township man in the Peterbilt had tailed them on northbound U.S. 23 and fired near Mile Marker 20 in Milan Township. Troopers say the semi truck driver was taken into custody and later lodged at the Monroe County Jail. Michigan State Police led the on-scene investigation with help from the Monroe County Sheriff’s Department, the Village of Dundee Police Department and Monroe Central Dispatch.
How this fits into a national trend
An analysis by the Everytown for Gun Safety Support Fund, using Gun Violence Archive data, found that in 2023 someone was shot or wounded in a road rage incident on average every 18 hours. Traffic safety advocates say the mix of more guns in vehicles and increasingly aggressive driving habits has turned too many everyday disputes into violent roadside confrontations.
Police asking witnesses to call
Michigan State Police are asking anyone who saw what happened to contact Tpr. Jordan Enders at (734) 242-3500, according to ClickOnDetroit. Investigators say the case is still active and have not yet announced whether charges will be filed.
Troopers say they are continuing to collect statements and physical evidence. Drivers who were in the area and anyone with dash-cam footage from that stretch of U.S. 23 around 7 p.m. last Saturday are urged to call the number above.
