FARMINGTON HILLS, Mich. – Michigan State Police shut down the westbound lanes of I-696 near I-275 following a rollover crash Wednesday morning that left a driver dead.
At about 5:50 a.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 7, a driver traveling westbound on I-696 reportedly crashed into a semi truck after attempting to pass it in a construction zone.
Recommended Videos
Police say the left lane was closing and merging traffic to the right due to construction. A driver, who has now been identified as the at-fault party, reportedly tried passing a semi truck in the left lane before the lane closed, but was unsuccessful.
The vehicle merged to the right and crashed into the semi truck before police said it rolled into the ditch along on the right side of the freeway. The driver, a 40-year-old man from Troy, was removed from the vehicle and pronounced dead at the scene, officials said.
Westbound I-696 has been closed from the southbound I-275/M-5 ramp. Traffic is being diverted to southbound I-275/M-5 amid the investigation.
Police said to expect major delays in the area for the morning commute.
The man’s identity has not been released. No other details have been provided at this time.
After removing him from the vehicle the 40 year old male driver from Troy was pronounced dead at the scene. Preliminary investigation, subject to change, determined that the rollover vehicle driver (at fault) was in the left lane attempting to pass a semi truck. 3/
— MSP Second District (@mspmetrodet) December 7, 2022
