OAKLAND COUNTY, Mich. – A fiery crash has prompted safety warnings from fire officials in North Oakland County.
North Oakland County Fire Authority Chief Matt Weill spoke to Local 4 on Friday (May 16) about the initial incident involving a driver who was rescued after being trapped inside a burning vehicle following a crash.
“Bystanders witnessing the accident took immediate action. They saw the fire getting bigger and bigger. Got the guy out of the car and they saved his life,” said Weil.
Due to the incident, the fire department is addressing “dangerous traffic patterns” they’ve seen amid the I-75 construction project.
“We are just hammered with so much traffic out here, and then people are in a hurry,” Weil said. “It just boils down to, take your time. Get where you want to be safely. It’s better if you arrive there safe and late than never.”
Bystanders rescue man after fiery crash
The crash happened at 3:15 p.m. on Tuesday, May 13, at the Grange Hall Road and I-75 interchange.
When the North Oakland County Fire Authority (NOCFA) arrived, they discovered that bystanders had jumped in to help and pulled the driver from the vehicle. The NOCFA serves Holly and Rose townships.
The driver was taken to a local hospital to be treated for burns and other injuries.
“We want to recognize and thank those individuals who stepped in without hesitation—it’s a powerful reminder of the strength and compassion within our community," NOCFA Fire Chief Matt Weil said in a release.
Fire officials address traffic concerns at I-75/Grange Hall Road interchange
The fire department addressed the traffic concerns with lane closures in the area due to the construction work being done and is calling on drivers to be cautious.
“While there is a long-term plan in place to improve traffic flow and safety in the area—including the future installation of roundabouts—those improvements are still some time away,“ the fire chief said. ”In the meantime, the ongoing I-75 project continues to have a significant impact on local traffic and public safety.”
Due to the construction, several local roads are being used as detour routes, which is significantly impacting traffic flow.
“These roads were never built to support this volume or type of traffic, and the strain is showing—with real safety consequences," said NOCFA.
The fire department says that since the construction work started, they have seen “dangerous traffic patterns” in the area.
“Since the beginning of the project, we’ve seen close calls and dangerous traffic patterns at the Grange Hall Road and I-75 interchange,” the NOCFA said. “Vehicles attempting left turns onto or off the highway are creating hazardous situations, especially when traffic backs up or drivers are unsure of who has the right of way. Recently, this has resulted in a serious crash.”
Call to action, safety tips for drivers
The fire department is calling on drivers to be cautious as they continue to work with officials on temporary safety improvements.
“Let’s work together to keep each other safe while we wait for the long-term infrastructure improvements to take effect,” Weil said. “Your attention and cooperation truly matter.”
The fire department released the following safety suggestions for drivers traveling in the Grange Hall Road/I-75 interchange area:
- Avoid distractions, like cellphones, especially when driving near construction zones or areas with heavy traffic
- Be patient and alert at intersections where traffic patterns have changed
- Use alternate routes if possible
- Obey posted signs and signals- they’re in place to keep drivers safe.
- Report any unsafe conditions so they can be addressed
For more information about the construction work being done in northern Oakland County, visit here.
