SOUTHFIELD (WWJ) - Michigan State Police officials are reminding drivers who get involved in auto crashes to stay safe after two men were fatally struck by vehicles while attempting to cross the freeway on Thursday and Friday nights.
MSP Lieutenant Michael Shaw spoke with WWJ's Rob Mason Saturday afternoon and said the two deaths could've been prevented if the victims had stayed in their vehicles and moved off to the shoulder or emergency lane after getting into car collisions.
"When you're involved in a crash, stay inside of your vehicle," Shaw emphasized. "Even if you get a flat tire or something like that, it's best to either drive up to the next exit or give us a call, 911, to get an emergency van out to you to give you those lights."
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Shaw went on to explain Michigan is a 'Steer it, Clear it' state, meaning vehicles are required to move out of the way of traffic when involved in a crash if possible, regardless of what insurance companies say.
"...there's no penalty for moving your car; we can figure out what happened in the crash without it being in the original position," Shaw explained.
Shaw also said being on the side of the road and staying in your vehicle is best place you can be when stuck out on the freeway.
"I spent 27 years as a trooper, today is just as amazing to me as when I very first started is how fast those cars travel on the freeway," Shaw said. "There's nothing you can do about it if you're in a lane and a car is coming towards you."
MSP's warnings come after one older teen was hit and killed by a semi-truck while crossing I-275 in Canton on Thursday morning.
A 21-year-old man died on Friday night as he crossed I-94 in Detroit; the young man was hit so forcefully, he was knocked off his feet and over the median barrier into oncoming traffic lanes.
Both men has left their vehicles after getting into a collision.
"Today's cars are built to have you survive in," Shaw said. "These are two crashes that occurred where they both survived the initial crashes. It wasn't until they got out and crossed the freeway that they were killed in a second traffic crash."
Shaw's best advice for drivers is to move out of traffic, stay in your vehicle and no matter what, make sure you are buckled up.
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