An Auburn, New York, native and Michigan State Police officer is being mourned by the community after dying as a result of injuries sustained when his vehicle was rear-ended during a traffic stop on Friday.
Motor Carrier Officer Dan Kerstetter, 45, died Sunday night after being removed from life support at Detroit Receiving Hospital, Michigan State Police said in a news release.
Kerstetter is survived by his wife, Catherine, and three children, Taylor, Daniel and August. His family decided to donate his organs, police said.
"We are heartbroken for this loss," Michigan State Police Director Col. James F. Grady II said. "Traffic enforcement is dangerous work. The dedication of our motor carrier officers and troopers to keeping the public safe on our roadways is commendable and honorable. With the decision to give the gift of life, even in his death, MC Officer Kerstetter is serving others."
Kerstetter was conducting a traffic stop Friday morning on Interstate 75 in Lincoln Park, Michigan, when his vehicle was struck by a Ford Explorer while he was inside. The impact pushed his vehicle into the back of the semitractor-trailer he had stopped, Michigan State Police said. The driver of the Explorer died in the crash, and the driver of the semitractor-trailer was unharmed.
The crash remains under investigation, Michigan State Police said.
Kerstetter joined the force in January 2023. It was "a role he cherished and worked hard to achieve," his brother Tim Kerstetter told The Citizen.
"His dedication and commitment to his career and family will be deeply missed by all who knew him," Tim said.
The son of George Kerstetter and Kathryn O'Neill, Daniel Murray Kerstetter grew up in Auburn with his seven siblings. His grandfather was Oscar Kerstetter, a Korea War veteran and professor and librarian at Auburn (now Cayuga) Community College. Known to many as "Danny," he graduated from Auburn High School in 1997 and attended SUNY Albany, Tim said.
Dan loved boating and spending time at the family camp in the Thousand Islands, Carpe Diem, his brother said. In 2009 he moved to Michigan, where he met Catherine. He also spent three years working as assistant equipment manager for the Detroit Red Wings hockey team. Its equipment manager, Paul Boyer, told The Detroit Free Press in a Sunday story that "we really cherished our time with him."
Tim said his brother had a similar effect on just about everyone he met.
"He was always thinking about other people," Tim said. "He was kind, loving, caring and devoted to serving others."
Tim thanked the Auburn community for the "overwhelming" amount of condolences and messages of support his family has received since Friday.
"The outpouring of love and support from Auburn has been incredibly supportive," Tim said, "and it has allowed us to begin to get through this time."
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Preliminary investigation and witness statements showed that a Ford Explorer struck the median wall before continuing down the freeway, eventually striking the patrol vehicle, and pushing it into the back of a semi-truck, police said.
The Ford driver, who was not identified, did not survive the crash, police said. The semi-trailer truck driver was not injured.
The incident comes less than two weeks after two motorists crashed into Michigan State Police cars in separate incidents in Wayne County.
Kerstetter joined the MSP in January 2023. He was assigned to the Metro North Post, according to a news release from the MSP.
“We are heartbroken for this loss,” said Col. James F. Grady II, director of the MSP. “Traffic enforcement is dangerous work. The dedication of our motor carrier officers and troopers to keeping the public safe on our roadways is commendable and honorable. With the decision to give the gift of life, even in his death, MC Officer Kerstetter is serving others.”
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