OTTAWA COUNTY, Mich. — A routine crash investigation turned dangerous Saturday night when an Ottawa County Sheriff’s Office cruiser was struck by a vehicle on eastbound I-96 near the 23-mile marker.
Deputies were on scene investigating a single-vehicle property damage crash around 7:40 p.m. when, at approximately 7:57 p.m., a white Jeep SUV traveling eastbound lost control.
Deputies said the Jeep slammed into the parked patrol car, which had its emergency lights on, before sliding into a wrecker that was helping with the original crash.
Both the cruiser and the wrecker were unoccupied at the time but sustained significant damage.
The Jeep carried several young men from Comstock Park and Grand Rapids. No injuries were reported among the occupants or emergency personnel.
Authorities said the incident underscores the importance of Michigan’s “Move Over” law, which requires drivers to slow down and, when possible, change lanes for emergency vehicles with flashing lights. The Ottawa County Sheriff’s Office also urged caution during winter driving conditions.
The crash remains under investigation.