2 MSP vehicles struck in single week, 7 in January. What drivers need to know in Michigan
The Michigan State Police are pleading with drivers to slow down and move over when they pass troopers along the side of the road after seven patrol vehicles were struck in January — two just this week.
'The shoulder of the road is a dangerous place for anyone,' MSP Director Col. James Grady said. 'When you see an emergency vehicle on the side of the road with emergency lights activated, please slow down and move over. That one act can save countless lives.'
This week, the MSP said in a Friday release, two patrol vehicles were struck by motorists.
'Driving is a privilege with significant responsibilities' Grady said. "Those responsibilities include ensuring the safety of yourself, your passengers and others on the road. Motorists need to understand the consequences of their driving behavior and the impact it has on their fellow motorists."
In the first incident this week, the MSP Seventh District said a patrol car was struck in the rear on Monday near the Wexford County exit ramp from U.S. 131 to East 34 Road.
Troopers were assisting passengers in a vehicle that had slid off the road, the MSP said on X. The trooper is uninjured while two "young females" in the other vehicle suffered minor injuries.
In the second incident, at about 6:45 a.m. Wednesday, Third District troopers were investigating a minor crash on northbound Interstate 75 near M-46 in Saginaw County when a vehicle struck the trooper's patrol unit.
"The trooper was not in the car at the time of the crash and sustained minor injuries while jumping out of the path of the crashed vehicles," MSP said on X. "The occupants of the previously crashed car (original incident) were injured in the second crash."
The trooper and other injured people were transported to a local hospital for treatment of minor injuries, MSP said.
The driver who struck the patrol car was arrested for suspected operating while intoxicated.
At 5 p.m. Jan. 15, Metro North Post troopers were on South I-75 near 11 Mile Road in Royal Oak investigating a crash when their patrol vehicle was rear-ended. One trooper was transported to a hospital with a lower leg injury.
The driver of a Pontiac G6 was arrested for reckless driving causing injury.
At about 10:45 a.m. Jan. 23, an MSP Motor Carrier Division officer was assisting with traffic control at crash on southbound U.S. 127 near Covert Road in Ingham County when a white Chevy van attempted to change lanes, lost control, left the road and struck the patrol vehicle, which was parked on the shoulder of the road with its lights activated.
No one was injured in the crash. Both vehicles were disabled.
By noon on Jan. 20, two MSP cruisers were struck while assisting motorists: One in Muskegon County and one in Kent County. No one was injured in either crash.
The Kent County crash took place photo at southbound U.S. 131 near West River Road.
Information about the seventh patrol vehicle that was struck wasn't immediately provided.
The MSP said seven department members have been killed while working on the side of the road in the department's history.
The most recent death took place in September when Motor Carrier Division Officer Daniel Kerstetter's vehicle was struck alongside I-75 in Lincoln Park and shoved into the back of a semitruck.
In January of 2024, Trooper Joel Popp was killed on I-75 near Birch Run when an 81-year-old man struck two patrol vehicles and Popp, who was outside a vehicle, as they investigated an impaired driver suspect.
Michigan law requires motorists to slow down at least 10 mph below the speed limit and move over to an open lane to give space for stationary authorized vehicles with flashing, rotating or oscillating lights activated.
If drivers are unable to safely move over, they still must slow down, allowing the authorized vehicle as much space as possible.
This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: 7 MSP vehicles struck in January. What Michigan law says
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