Mich. Troopers Jump Wall to Avoid Out-of-Control Tractor-Trailer

A Michigan State Police trooper sustained minor injuries and two others jumped a median wall on I-75 to avoid being struck as they responded to a crash in Royal Oak early Thursday, Dec. 12.

As troopers were investigating a multi-car crash on southbound I-75 near the 11 Mile Road ramp just after midnight, they parked their vehicles on the left shoulder and left lane with emergency lights flashing.

Two troopers were on the left shoulder speaking with the drivers involved in the crash, and one trooper was in a patrol car writing the report, according to a release from MSP.

The driver of a tractor-trailer attempted to pass slowing and exiting traffic in the left lane. The driver of the semi saw the patrol cars blocking the lanes and applied both the tractor’s and trailer’s brakes. The driver lost control of the vehicle, steering toward the left shoulder, the release said.

The semi struck a patrol car, sending it over 100 yards into the rear of the occupied patrol car.

The semi continued on the left shoulder toward the two troopers who were standing on the shoulder. The troopers avoided the semi by jumping the median wall.

The semi continued, striking an unoccupied vehicle from the previous crash.

The trooper who was in the vehicle that was struck was transported to a local hospital. The trooper was treated for minor injuries and released. No one else was hurt.

The semi driver was arrested for reckless driving. The freeway was closed for both crash investigations and has since reopened.

Snow began falling in metro Detroit late Wednesday night, continuing into Thursday morning.

“This incident had everything we have been talking about this last month,” said State Police First Lt. Mike Shaw. “First, a crash caused by risky driving behavior. Second, a driver going too fast, failing to move over for emergency vehicles and striking the patrol cars and people on the scene.

“Finally, responding troopers had to remove pedestrians from the freeway ramps who were trying to take photos for their favorite social media platform. We are continuing to ask drivers to slow down, move over, drive safe and please do not walk on the freeway.”

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