One killed, one injured attempting to cross I-94 with broken down van

A fatal accident on I-94 near Telegraph Road in Taylor shut down the interstate for several hours on Monday.

The accident, which occurred about 8:30 p.m., involved two people who attempted to push a broken down 2001 Chrysler Van from the left shoulder of the interstate to the right, crossing all lanes of traffic.

"Here you have a vehicle with no lights on (and) they're trying to push it off to the right shoulder. Another individual was coming down I-94 and ends up striking that vehicle, knowing the two people to the ground, and another driver runs over one of them, killing them instantly," said Lt. Michael Shaw of the Michigan state police.

MSP said the deadly accident did not have to happen and they hope others will learn from the tragedy.

"There's courtesy vans all running through the system -- there's Wayne, Oakland, Macomb (counties), all over freeway. Call 911, a trooper will come out there," Shaw said.

Officials said the passenger of the van was transported to a local hospital and is recovering. The drivers of the other two vehicles involved in the accident remained at the scene and are cooperating with police.

"We'll take a look at it and present to prosecutor to make sure there's nothing else they want to look at as far as charges," Shaw said.