DETROIT (WWJ) - Troopers and emergency response teams with the state police were able to assist a man in the grips of a mental health emergency Thursday morning after family members feared for his life and the life of the dog inside his vehicle.
According to Michigan State Police, the Detroit Regional Communications Center was first notified of the man in distress arund 11:30 a.m. after receiving a call about a vehicle that the Detroit Police Department had attempted to pull over.
The driver was travelling on East Jefferson and crossed over on to Belle Isle; DPD officers opted not to pursue into the park and told state police that the driver was possibly having a mental health emergency.
Detroit police said the man was in possession of a knife and may have stabbed a dog that was in the car with him.
Troopers were able to locate the suspected driver along Riverbank Road on Belle Isle where they determined the dog was uninjured.
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The driver's mother was on scene trying to help her son; she told officers he was experiencing a mental health crisis and had been asking to speak with his deceased father.
"The driver was suffering from severe mood swings from extremely remorseful to extreme anger," MSP said on social media. "The Emergency Support Team was requested as the driver may be armed and would not exit the vehicle."
When the ES Team arrived, they were able to help the driver and he finally exited the vehicle without incident.
The man was taken by the Detroit Fire Department to Detroit Receiving Hospital to receive further medical assistance while state police submitted a request for mental health care.
MSP said they were not seeking charges against the driver and commended the troopers on peacefully resolving the incident.
"Great work by the troopers on scene to get the driver the help he needed and bring this situation to a successful conclusion," MSP said.
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