Driver killed, Livonia officer injured in I-96 crash

(WJBK) - A driver was killed Sunday morning after veering out of his lane on I-96, nearly hitting a Livonia police officer and rolling his vehicle into the shoulder.

Don Campbell was driving westbound on I-96 near Middlebelt around 11:30 a.m. when he was pulled over by a police officer for a traffic stop.

"He went back to his car. He processed everything and he was literally on his way back to me," he said.

But in a split second, Campbell felt danger - another car on I-96 was heading toward him and the officer.

"Out of the blue, all I heard was a light screech and then I heard the impact first ... I just saw his cruiser flying toward my car and it crashed into my car sending my car flying forward and it hit officer McClain. He flew like a projectile ... and crashed down on the ground besides my driver side door," Campbell said.

The impact caused the car that hit the officer to flip over, trapping the driver.

Police have identified him as 43-year-old Michael Anthony Gregory of Hartland. He died at the scene.

"I was just really sad to hear news and as far as I could tell neighbor wise, he seemed like a good guy. So I'm sorry for the family," said Leah Deneen.

The accident is still under investigation, but Livonia police say Gregory may have suffered a medical  event before the crash.

Campbell says it's tragic that someone died, but he says after seeing what happened to the police officer, he's happy to know the officer will survive his injuries.

"They said he had contusion to his knee, and some upper hip damage. He didn't deserve that," he said.