DEWITT TWP., Mich. (WXYZ) — A preliminary investigation found that a Michigan State Police trooper was at fault in a crash that killed a civilian driver on Friday.
The trooper has been suspended Monday, pending a complete investigation and review by the Clinton County Prosecutor's Office for possible criminal charges.
The crash occurred at the intersection of Business 127 and Cutler Road in Dewitt Township on Friday, July 19.
Police say the trooper involved was responding to an emergency call for a retail theft at 8 p.m. The trooper's lights and siren were activated.
The trooper was traveling westbound on Cutler Road when he entered the intersection, hitting the rear of a semi-truck that was traveling northbound on Business 127.
The semi-truck then re-actively crashed into an occupied vehicle that was stopped southbound on Business 127, waiting to turn left on Cutler Road.
The occupant of the vehicle was 26-year-old David G. Engel, of Dewitt. He was the only occupant in the vehicle. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
The trooper was treated and released from the hospital, and the semi-truck driver was unharmed.
