Detroit, MI (March 2, 2026) – A Michigan State Police trooper was injured Sunday evening, March 1, after a vehicle struck a parked patrol car on the Lodge Freeway near Schaefer Highway in Detroit.
The crash occurred around 7:50 p.m. in the northbound lanes of the freeway. Authorities said the patrol vehicle was parked with its emergency lights activated while the trooper investigated a previous crash.
A 29-year-old woman from Detroit, driving a Jeep SUV, struck the rear of the parked patrol car. The impact pushed the patrol vehicle into a concrete wall along the right shoulder.
After the initial collision, the suspect vehicle traveled across all three lanes of traffic and struck the center median wall. Police said the driver exited her damaged vehicle and fled the scene.
The trooper was evaluated at the scene and later taken to a hospital for further examination. No additional information about the suspect has been released. Authorities continue to investigate the crash, and more details will be released as soon as they become available.
Our thoughts are with the injured trooper as he recovers.
Why “Move Over” Laws Are Important for Roadside Safety
Move-over laws are designed to protect emergency responders and others who stop along roadways to assist during incidents. When drivers approach vehicles with flashing emergency lights, these laws typically require them to slow down and change lanes when it is safe to do so.
Emergency responders often work just a few feet from passing traffic while assisting injured people, investigating crashes, or clearing hazards from the road. Vehicles traveling at highway speeds create a dangerous environment for anyone outside their car.
Crashes involving parked emergency vehicles can occur when drivers are distracted, traveling too fast, or not paying attention to warning lights ahead. Moving over or reducing speed gives drivers more time to react and helps create a safer buffer zone for responders working along busy roads.
