Trooper, Prisoner Injured In Crash On I-75 In Oakland County: Police

OAKLAND COUNTY, MI — A trooper and a prisoner were injured in a Wednesday night crash during a traffic stop on Interstate 75 in Oakland County, according to Michigan State Police.

The crash happened in the northbound lanes on the freeway at Sashabaw Road near Clarkston just after 8 p.m. as the trooper arrested a suspected impaired driver, police said.

Police said a suspected impaired driver who had been taken into custody was in the front passenger seat of the patrol car and the trooper was in the driver’s seat when a Dodge Durango struck the patrol car. Both of them were wearing their seatbelts, police said

A 16-year-old driver was in the Dodge Durango, which drifted onto the right shoulder where it struck the trooper’s vehicle, police said.

The impact of the crash forced the trooper's car into the suspect's car, police said.

The trooper and the prisoner suffered cuts to their faces, and the trooper had a possible broken arm, police said. Both of them were taken to a nearby hospital, police said.

No other injuries were reported, police said.

Investigators said the teen fell asleep behind the wheel and that speed or impairment are not factors in the crash. The teen was arrested for reckless driving and released to his mother, according to Michigan State Police.

"We are very fortunate that the injuries in this crash were not more serious, or even fatal," Michigan State Police First Lt. Mike Shaw said. "The one message we can take from this crash is to wear your seat belt when in the car. It will save your life."