MONROE COUNTY, Mich. — A semi-truck driver was killed and several Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) workers were injured in a crash in Monroe County Tuesday morning.
According to a social media post from Michigan State Police First District (MSP), a semi-truck with a trailer was traveling northbound on I-75 near I-275 in Frenchtown Township at approximately 9:45 a.m. near exit 18.
The semi-truck was traveling near an area where MDOT construction workers were patching the left lane of I-75, MSP said. The semi-truck struck the back of one of the MDOT vehicles from behind, which caused the semi-truck to jackknife and hit another MDOT vehicle.
The driver of the semi-truck was pronounced deceased on the scene. He was described by MSP as a male, but his identity, including his age and place of residence, remains unknown. It is also unknown, MSP said, if alcohol or drugs were a factor in the crash, or if the driver was wearing a seatbelt at the time.
The truck, which was carrying aluminum cans, spilled its contents onto the roadway.
The MDOT workers suffered minor injuries, MSP said. The vehicles they were using, called attenuator vehicles, were outfitted with a system that gives impact protection to the vehicle should it be struck from behind, MSP said.
The number of MDOT workers who were injured is unknown.
Due to the crash, I-75 near exit 18 has been shut down for what MSP described as an “unknown” amount of time.
The crash remains under investigation. WTOL 11 has sent crews to the area to learn more. We will provide you with additional information as it becomes available.