Carnage, mangled vehicles, and thousands of aluminum cans littered I-75 Tuesday morning following a deadly crash that left one man dead and several road workers with minor injuries.
The incident occurred around 8:45 a.m. near the I-275 interchange in Monroe County, where Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) crews were conducting road repairs. According to Michigan State Police, a semi-truck collided with two MDOT safety vehicles in a clearly marked construction zone.
Lieutenant Rene Gonzalez of the Michigan State Police said the semi-truck plowed into the back of one of the attenuator trucks — specially designed vehicles meant to absorb crash impacts — then jackknifed and struck a second safety vehicle.
The driver of the semi-truck was pronounced dead at the scene. Several MDOT workers suffered minor injuries but managed to escape the crash without serious harm.
The collision sent debris — including thousands of aluminum cans — scattering across the northbound lanes, causing major traffic delays. Hours after the crash, cleanup crews remained on site clearing the wreckage.
While the exact cause of the crash remains under investigation, police suspect distracted driving may have been a factor. Authorities confirmed that alcohol and drugs do not appear to have played a role.
One witness, Nicholas DiResta, described the aftermath as “a bad scene,” saying debris stretched across the highway for as far as the eye could see.
Law enforcement is reminding drivers to slow down and stay alert in construction zones, as reckless driving in these areas continues to put lives at risk.
