DETROIT (WWJ) – An investigation is underway after a crash on a Metro Detroit freeway Monday afternoon involving a pair of suspected car thieves at Detroit Metro Airport.
Michigan State Police say they received 911 calls reporting a car on fire on eastbound I-94 near I-75 shortly before 4 p.m.
When troopers arrived, they found a Dodge SUV that was on fire next to a semi-truck, both of which were blocking the left and center lanes of the freeway. Police have not said what led to the crash, which left all lanes of I-94 closed for around two hours Monday afternoon.
MDOT cameras showed thick, black smoke billowing from the vehicle.
State police say an off-duty police officer and an off-duty EMT stopped at the scene and were able to pull the driver and passenger from the burning SUV. Both were taken to Detroit Receiving Hospital.
Troopers, meanwhile, contacted the registered owner of the vehicle and discovered it had been stolen from the airport.
Metro Airport Police told MSP there had been four other vehicles stolen from DTW and believed the SUV was related to the same suspects. Police have not said when any of the auto thefts took place or whether they're looking for more suspects in the case.
Detroit EMS personnel told police the driver had several other car keys fall out of his pocket on the way to Detroit Receiving Hospital.
The investigation and suspects have been turned over to airport police, as the theft took place at DTW, according to MSP.
Authorities say the driver suffered a laceration to his forehead during the crash and the passenger suffered a compound fracture to his legs and burns from the crash.
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