Southbound I-75 through Detroit turned into a crime scene today after a wrong-way driver slammed into another vehicle near Rosa Parks Boulevard, shutting down the freeway between Grand River Avenue and Rosa Parks. Calls started coming in to troopers around 4 a.m. about a vehicle heading north in the southbound lanes. Two vehicles were involved in the crash, and authorities had not immediately released any details about injuries. Traffic was diverted off the freeway at Grand River while investigators worked the scene.
Michigan State Police told WXYZ that troopers responded after getting reports of the wrong-way vehicle and confirmed that all southbound lanes from Grand River to Rosa Parks were closed for a crash investigation. In the station's report, filed by Kellen Voss, officials also urged drivers to find alternate routes while crews remained on the freeway.
Why wrong-way crashes are particularly deadly
A March 2026 research brief from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety found that fatal wrong-way crashes on divided highways have climbed over the past decade and now make up a growing share of freeway deaths. The study ties many of these crashes to alcohol impairment, older drivers and nighttime conditions, a mix that helps explain why head-on wrong-way collisions are so often catastrophic.
What motorists should expect
As reported by WXYZ, Michigan State Police advised drivers to steer clear of the stretch of I-75 while the closure remained in place, with traffic being forced off at Grand River. Surface streets near downtown were expected to be jammed with rerouted freeway traffic, and motorists were told to plan for extra travel time.
Troopers stayed on scene as investigators worked to piece together how the vehicle ended up going the wrong way. Standard steps include checking for impairment, interviewing witnesses and reconstructing how the vehicles moved before impact. Today, officials had not released information on any potential charges or the extent of injuries, and the investigation was still underway.
