DETROIT (WWJ) - A 19-year-old man behind the wheel of a speeding sportscar sustained critical injuries after state police said he lost control on a Detroit freeway, crashed into two other cars on Wednesday morning
Troopers with MSP provided an update to the serious wreck which occurred around 4:45 a.m. in the eastbound lanes of I-96 at Livernois, adding the young man was not wearing a seat belt and was ejected as the vehicle left the road.
MSP announced earlier that they had shutdown all EB lanes as they investigated the crash, but partially reopened a short while later with two lanes still closed to drivers.
MSP said detectives were investigating the crash "with serious injuries."
WWJ reporter Mike Campbell was live at the scene and said the vehicle came to rest high up on the embankment, almost to the Service Drive.
The car was so badly damaged, Campbell said it is difficult to tell what the make and model is, but he believed it is a Ford Mustang due to distinguishing features present on the back of the vehicle.
"Now you've got wreckers picking up a red Impala that has front end damage as well as it looks like a Toyota Sienna or a Dodge minivan," Campbell added. "So what may have started as a single car accident looks like, if nothing else, has become a clean up on aisle 96 here as they sweep the freeway of these vehicles that are on the shoulder."
MSP said the young man was taken to a local hospital where he is now in critical condition. No one else was hurt in the incident.
“This is just another example of poor driving decisions we are seeing in Metro Detroit.” said F/Lt Mike Shaw, Public Information Officer, in an update on Twitter. “While we are extremely lucky that no one died in this crash, the injuries this young man received will affect him the rest of his life.”
State police said earlier that drivers were being forced off at the Livernois and West Chicago exit. KT suggested drivers utilize Grand River to get around the scene, but Campbell said it did appear that state police were getting ready to reopen the freeway completely.
Shaw said just after 9 a.m. that police have completed their investigation and the Jeffries is open.
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