9:26 p.m.
Michigan State Police are now saying that a motorcyclist has not died following a very serious accident on I-696 that shut the freeway down for several hours.
The scene is now clear and the freeway has reopened.
MSP originally reported that the accident was fatal.
CORRECTION AND UPDATE: Today at 6 15 P MSP dispatch received a report of a fatal traffic crash involving a motorcycle on EB I-696 near I-75. The motorcyclist was transported to a local hospital. REPORTS THAT THE MOTORCYCLIST WAS KILLED WERE NOT CORRECT. pic.twitter.com/earxRRgu6G
— MSP Metro Detroit (@mspmetrodet) June 6, 2018
The 49 year old male from Detroit is in very critical condition. The motorcyclist lost control and struck the rear of a semi trailer. The semi truck continued on from the scene of the crash. Witnesses were able to give a description of the semi. pic.twitter.com/hSTCCbNZhT
— MSP Metro Detroit (@mspmetrodet) June 6, 2018
Both the truck driver and semi-truck believed to be involved in the crash have since been located at the Mopar Chrysler Distribution Center in Centerline. The truck driver is being cooperative and is currently being interviewed in order to confirm his involvement in the crash. pic.twitter.com/fLwORnvlNE
— MSP Metro Detroit (@mspmetrodet) June 6, 2018
Further witness interviews, including a witness video of the incident shows that the truck driver may not have been aware of the collision with the motorcycle--which had struck the semi-truck from behind. The scene is now clear and freeway reopened. Investigation continues pic.twitter.com/pErozWaAFH
— MSP Metro Detroit (@mspmetrodet) June 6, 2018
8:00 p.m.
Police are now saying they have determined the semi driver may not even have been aware he was involved in an accident:
UPDATE: Further Investigation revealed that it appears the motorcyclist lost control, dumped the bike resulting in the rider rolling underneath the semi-truck after striking it from the rear. It is likely the truck driver wasn’t even aware the crash occurred. More as we get it. pic.twitter.com/3Tns02HHHT
— MSP Metro Detroit (@mspmetrodet) June 5, 2018
The freeway closure has also been moved back to Woodward.
7:18 p.m.
Michigan State Police have shut down eastbound I-696 because of a fatal accident involving a motorcycle.
The accident scene is near the I-696/I-75 interchange.
The freeway is shut down at Campbell Hilton.
Michigan State Police have issued the following tweets about the accident:
Preliminary information…On
6/5 at 6 15P Metro North troops responded to a report of a fatal traffic crash involving a motorcycle on EB I-696 near I-75. pic.twitter.com/1lwd2vInzl— MSP Metro Detroit (@mspmetrodet) June 5, 2018
According to witnesses, an unknown semi-truck struck the motorcycle and fled the scene. The motorcyclist was killed. Efforts are underway to locate and identify the driver of the semi-truck based on witness information. The freeway is closed at Campbell/Hilton. Avoid the area pic.twitter.com/zsS7Oo3Mi9
— MSP Metro Detroit (@mspmetrodet) June 5, 2018
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