7 Action News has learned the driver involved in the fiery crash in Melvindale is 24 year-old Andrew Gregoire, who lives just blocks from the scene.
Police said drunk driving is the reason for the crash.
The bartender at the Hayloft Bar of Greenfield in northwest Detroit said Gregoire was a patron before the crash. He said he didn’t appear over the limit, but he said Gregoire was bar-hopping.
7 Action News caught up with his roommates, Amanda Hall and Marcus Hamel. They said drinking and driving is not his typical behavior.
"If he's drinking here he will walk to the store, he won't get in the car even if it's right there. He's not going to be like it's just right there, I don't care. He will walk there. He wouldn't get behind the wheel,” said Hamel.
The pair was watching the news Saturday morning when they realized their roommate was likely involved.
"We were worried about it, that it could have been him, because we were like, why can't we get a hold of him,” said Hamel.
Gregoire has been upgraded to serious but stable condition at Detroit Receiving Hospital.
He was the only person injured in the explosion and flames that rocked the Melvendale neighborhood.
"I jumped out and looked out the fire was just going up in flames real bad,” said Margarita Lopez, who lives blocks from the fire and right across the street from Gregoire.
"It's kids of crazy because I can't believe it could have been him. He drives so slow all the time,” said Lopez.
His roommates said this is going to be a difficult time for him.
"Feeling bad isn't even going to the amount of what he's going to feel,” said Hall.
Andrew Gregoire has had a clean driving record, with no prior incidents.
No formal charges have been filed yet as the investigation is ongoing.
