ROYAL OAK, Mich. – The eastbound lanes of I-696 were closed between Coolidge Highway and Woodward Avenue due to a crash that killed two people Tuesday morning.
The freeway reopened just before 11 a.m. Michigan State Police said troopers responded to the crash at 5:30 a.m. Tuesday.
UPDATE: 2 drivers struck, killed while standing outside cars after minor crash on I-696 near Woodward Avenue
Lt. Michael Shaw said it was a minor traffic crash but both parties exited vehicles. They were standing on the side of the interstate next to their vehicles and were struck by two other vehicles. Shaw said four vehicles were involved overall.
“If you’re involved in a traffic crash, it’s just a traffic crash. Just get off the freeway, get off the side of the road. Don’t get out of your car,” said Shaw. “I don’t think people really realize how fast vehicles go on the freeway until it’s too late.”
The victims have been identified as a 61-year-old Westland man and a 39-year-old Oak Park man. One of the drivers who hit the men was taken to a hospital, treated and released.
The crash remains under investigation.
Another driver was killed earlier Tuesday morning during a crash on I-94 near Detroit Metro Airport.
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