Police said accident happened at about 3:38 a.m. and closed the freeway for several hours
An Ohio man was killed in a crash Monday morning on southbound Interstate 75 near the Michigan-Ohio border, officials said.
The crash happened at about 3:38 a.m. just north of the state line in Erie Township, according to the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office. Detectives with the office continue to investigate.
Michigan Department of Transportation officials said the crash closed the freeway’s southbound lanes for a couple of hours.
Police said a 31-year-old Oregon, Ohio man was driving a pickup truck south on the freeway when he struck the rear of a semi-tractor trailer. The semi, driven by a 64-year-old Southgate man, was traveling south in the center lane of I-75.
After the collision, the pickup truck came to rest along the east shoulder of the freeway and became engulfed in fire, officials said.
They said the pickup’s driver was pronounced dead at the scene.
Police said their preliminary investigation shows excessive speed was a factor.
It’s unclear if the pickup truck’s driver was wearing his safety belt at the time of the crash, according to authorities. It is also unclear whether alcohol was involved.
Anyone with information about the crash should call the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office at (734) 240-7493.
cramirez@detroitnews.com
