Driver Dies After Hitting Backhoe In Oakland County Work Zone: Police

SPRINGFIELD TOWNSHIP, MI — A driver died Wednesday morning after crashing into a backhoe while speeding through an Oakland County construction zone, according to Michigan State Police.

Officials said the driver was speeding in a construction zone on southbound Interstate 75 near Dixie Highway in Springfield Township at 12:15 a.m.

Although there were multiple construction signs and orange barrels on the roadway, the driver tried using closed lanes where crews were working to pass another driver on the right, officials said.

While speeding in the closed lanes (inside the barrels), the driver lost control of the vehicle, struck a backhoe and another car before going into the ditch and hitting a tree, officials said.

The driver was killed in the crash and was not wearing a seatbelt, officials said. Troopers also said a dog was injured in the crash, and was turned over to the Oakland County Animal Control.

The driver in the other vehicle and the backhoe driver were not injured in the crash, officials said.

Troopers were still working to identify the driver who died in the crash. Officials do not know if drugs to alcohol played a factor in the crash.

"This is another example of risky driving behavior leading to a preventable traffic crash in one of our construction zones," Michigan State Police First Lt. Mike Shaw said. "Drivers need to make sure they are following the speed limit, especially in a construction zone. Lives depend on it."