DETROIT (WWJ) - Two victims who were struck and killed by a driver who lost control of his vehicle along I-75 in Detroit over the weekend are being mourned and remembered by loved ones days after the tragic incident.
Superior Ambulance identified one of the victims, 39-year-old Matthew Madigan of Wixom, as one of their emergency technicians who had stopped to assist another driver in the northbound lanes of I-75 near Caniff Road around 2:15 a.m.
According to the Michigan State Police, Madigan pulled over when he saw 38-year-old Oak Park resident Melnevia Whaley walking around her vehicle after she had spun out and crashed.
While the EMT was helping the woman, a 58-year-old Washington Township man lost control of his vehicle, spun out and hit both Whaley and Madigan, MSP added.
Whaley was pronounced dead at the scene, while Madigan was pronounced dead at the hospital.
Superior Ambulance released Madigan's name in a moving social media post that honored the EMT's "commitment to serving others."
"On behalf of the Superior Ambulance and the EMS community, we are deeply saddened by the loss of one of our own. Matthew Madigan, an EMT out of Superior Ambulance of Michigan, was a valuable member of our team who embodied our core values of compassion, dedication, and excellence," the post stated. "We will forever be grateful for his commitment to serving others and his sacrifice will not be forgotten. Our thoughts and condolences are with Matthew's loved ones and colleagues during this difficult time."
WWJ's Mike Campbell said Whaley's family has also spoken out and said while they are devastated by the tragedy, they are thankful for Madigan, who they call an "angel who stopped to help their loved one."
MSP officials are still investigating the fatal crash. Authorities have not released what may have caused the driver to spin out or if weather, drugs or alcohol played a role.
Drivers in Metro Detroit called in to WWJ's Traffic Center to say roads were icy Sunday morning, with several spin-outs and crashes reported.
The tragic incident brought renewed attention to traffic safety, especially in work zones, bad road conditions and wherever emergency vehicles are present.
“The Move Over law saves lives.” MSP First Lt. Mike Shaw said. “If you see an emergency vehicle with its lights on, slow down 10 mph below the speed limit and move over. It really is that simple. Our prayers go out to both families dealing with this tragedy.”
The a 58-year-old man from Washington, Michigan, could be charged. Officials said an investigator’s report will be submitted to the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office.