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Video shows wrong-way driver before head-on crash that killed one on I-696

By and Jack Nissen
Published  May 5, 2023 9:32am EDT
Crime and Public Safety
FOX 2 Detroit

Video shows wrong-way driver on I-696

A video captured by a driver showed a vehicle traveling the wrong direction on I-696 in Roseville. A Michigan State Trooper could be seen trailing the vehicle. Video courtesy of Scanner of Warren group

ROSEVILLE, Mich. (FOX 2) - A 62-year-old Harper Woods resident died after being struck head-on by a wrong-way driver on a Metro Detroit highway Friday morning.

The suspect driver was allegedly intoxicated when they crashed. They are also believed to have been driving with a suspended license. 

Michigan State Police shut down westbound I-696 for hours to clean up debris that was strewn across the highway from the crash. Traffic was diverted at Gratiot until it reopened.

The dispatch center first started getting calls of a wrong-way driver around 3:35 a.m. when reports came in of a red Jeep Liberty traveling eastbound in the westbound lanes near Coolidge Highway.

Drunk wrong-way driver kills woman on I-696

A wrong-way driver slammed into a 62-year-old Harper Woods woman on I-696 Friday morning. Police say the driver is believed to have been intoxicated and was driving on a suspended license.

"We noticed a car driving on the wrong side of the road," said Shianna Justus, who was on the other side of the freeway with her boyfriend.

Police later located the wrong-way driver at Dequindre Road. According to state police, an officer attempted to get the wrong-way driver's attention while tailing them from the shoulder. The suspect was in the left lane.

"Once our troopers started getting those calls, they started combing 696," Michigan State Police Lt. Mike Shaw said.

Shaw said a trooper who saw the driver got behind the vehicle and shined her light in an attempt to get their attention. 

The suspect driver was allegedly intoxicated when they crashed. They are also believed to have been driving with a suspended license. 

Moments later, the Liberty collided head-on with a Chevy SUV.

Video posted on the Scanner of Warren Facebook group showed the Jeep traveling on I-696 before the crash. A patrol unit could be seen behind them.

The victim was pronounced dead at the scene.

The driver of the Liberty received minor injuries and was taken to the hospital to be treated for a broken toe. They'll be taken to jail after being medically cleared.

"We are continuing to see drivers making poor driving decisions that are resulting in serious injuries or death in traffic crashes." said First Lt. Mike Shaw. "We asking people to drive responsibly. Slow down, don’t drive impaired or  distracted. It really is that simple."