DETROIT (WWJ) - One person is dead after a vehicle lost control and flipped over on a major freeway in downtown Detroit as icy roads and dangerous driving conditions plague the metro area Friday morning.
According to WWJ's Charlie Langton, at least three state troopers were at the scene on southbound I-75, between Rosa Parks and I-96, due to a fatal crash that was first reported around 3:30 a.m.
According to Michigan State Police, the driver involved in the fatal crash was traveling on I-75 when they lost control of the vehicle and rolled over.
Troopers said the driver and a 21-year-old passenger were ejected from the vehicle as it crashed. The driver was taken to Detroit Receiving Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
The passenger was pronounced dead at the scene.
Investigators said the driver is suspected of being drunk and are obtaining a search warrant for a blood draw. He will be taken to jail if he's released from the hospital.
The freeway was closed for several hours as police responded to the scene, forcing drivers to exit at Trumbull and take the Service Drive to get back on.
"That's a mess It's definitely a mess," Langton reported. "There's about a quarter mile back-up on I-75 if you continue to go around the city so it's a real problem."
While the freeway has since reopened, Langton said drivers are still stuck in traffic tie-ups as the morning commute picks up, with many only hitting top speeds of 50 to 60 mph around the city before being forced to slow down on slick roads.
WWJ traffic reporter Tina Marie said drivers should all take extra caution and head out to their destinations early as roads are proving hazardous.
"We've had several reports of spin-outs across the Metro Detroit area," she advised.
While slick patches are causing headaches for Metro Detroiters, WWJ's Mike Campbell reports not every suburb is affected by winter conditions.
Side streets and freeways in Washtenaw county remain clear as of 6 a.m., with only a few icy spots reported on sidewalks in downtown Ann Arbor.
"Everything has been salted, intersections in particular," Campbell said. "I found that to be true in Northville and in Plymouth as well. Again, though, there are slick spots where there isn't a lot of traffic."
Campbell advised drivers to remain diligent as more commuters get on the highways.
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