DETROIT – One person is dead after a crash in a construction zone near Detroit.
According to Michigan State Police, the crash happened on southbound I-75 near Dixie Highway at 12:15 a.m. Wednesday.
Officers say an unidentified driver entered the construction zone at a high rate of speed and attempted to pass a vehicle traveling at the appropriate speed in the left lane.
The at-fault driver tried to pass on the right (inside the barrels in the closed lanes where workers were present), lost control, hit a backhoe and then hit the car he was trying to pass, police said.
The vehicle then went into the right ditch and struck a tree, police said. The driver died on impact.
“This is another example of risky driving behavior leading to an avoidable traffic accident in one of our construction zones.” Lt. Mike Shaw said. “Drivers need to make sure they follow the speed limit, especially in a construction zone. Lives depend on it.”
A dog inside the vehicle was injured and turned over to Oakland County Animal Control, police said.
The worker operating the backhoe and the driver of the second vehicle were not injured, police said.
I-75 southbound was closed at E Holly Road while police investigated the crash. It has since reopened.
Officers are still trying to identify the driver at fault. Police have not determined if drugs and/or alcohol are factors in the crash.
