FARMINGTON HILLS (WWJ) - One person is dead following a fiery crash that took place on I-696 early Monday morning.
Police said the initial investigation has found that a vehicle hit a box truck on westbound I-696.
The crash shut down westbound I-696 early Monday morning, and the freeway remained closed for hours while the investigation and cleanup were underway.
Farmington Hills Police Chief Jeff King told WWJ’s Charlie Langton that a person driving what appeared to be a BMW SUV got onto the highway going the wrong way before crashing into the box truck around 2 a.m. Monday. The driver of the SUV was reportedly driving at a high rate of speed with no headlights on.
“Upon impact, both vehicles caught fire,” King said. “The driver of the box truck was able to extricate himself from the vehicle, jumped from the vehicle and was not injured. He was the lone 911 caller. Unfortunately, the lone driver of the BMW SUV died on the scene.”
Authorities said they are still trying to find out where the other driver entered I-696 and the reason they were going the wrong direction.
The identity of the person killed in the crash has not been released and their family has not been notified, authorities said.
Police say the investigation will continue as they put the pieces leading up to the crash together.
This is a developing news story. Stay tuned to WWJ Newsradio 950 for the latest updates as they become available. >>> LISTEN LIVE!