DETROIT (WWJ) – A Michigan State Police trooper is recovering after an SUV slammed into the back of his patrol car during a traffic stop in Detroit early Sunday morning.
The trooper, whose name and age weren’t released, pulled a driver over along southbound Southfield Freeway near Fenkell shortly before 1 a.m.
As he was outside of the patrol car during the traffic stop, MSP officials say the driver of an SUV was speeding along the freeway and hit the back of the patrol car.
The impact of the crash sent the SUV airborne, hitting the trooper and the two people involved in the initial traffic stop, according to MSP officials.
The two people were taken to the hospital with non-critical injuries. The trooper was also taken to the hospital by another trooper.
There was no indication the trooper had any broken bones, but he may have a torn Achilles, according to police. He also has road rash from being dragged during the crash.
Authorities say the suspect driving the SUV, whose name and age have not been disclosed, was taken to the hospital with non-critical injuries.
But not before becoming “belligerent and uncooperative with troopers” at the scene. A search warrant was expected to be written for a blood draw to determine if he was impaired at the time of the crash.
“Here is another driver, possibly impaired, driving at a high rate of speed. It puts all of us in danger and is preventable. We are extremely lucky that this crash did not end up much worse. Just slow down and don’t drive impaired. It is that easy,” MSP First Lt. Mike Shaw said.