Skip to main content
Partly Cloudy icon
21º

State police: Driver intentionally crashed into I-696 center median in Madison Heights

Driver suspected to be under influence of drugs or alcohol

A crash along eastbound I-696 on Feb. 3, 2021 in Madison Heights. (WDIV)

MADISON HEIGHTS, Mich. – A driver intentionally crashed a vehicle into the center median along eastbound I-696 near Dequindre Road, blocking traffic for several hours Wednesday morning, Michigan State Police said.

The crash happened about 2:50 a.m. Eastbound I-696 had to be shut down at Couzens Avenue after the crash caused a light pole to fall onto the interstate on the eastbound side. A second vehicle struck that pole, police said, and then a third vehicle struck the initial vehicle that crashed.

Recommended Videos



Luckily, no serious injuries were reported.

Police said the driver who first crashed intentionally into the median fled the area on foot. However, they were found by police -- officers suspect the driver was operating the vehicle while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

Michigan State Police have an investigation ongoing.

The freeway reopened to traffic about 7 a.m.

Check the live traffic map with updates here.