A 20-year-old motorcyclist from Ypsilanti died early Saturday morning following a crash on westbound I-696 in Royal Oak. The incident occurred around 12:30 a.m., according to Michigan State Police.
Authorities reported that a 30-year-old woman from Clio was driving a BMW in the left middle lane of a construction zone when she rear-ended a Nissan sedan. The impact caused the Nissan to collide with a right shoulder wall, where it came to a stop. The BMW then struck a left median wall and was left disabled beneath the Campbell Road bridge.
Shortly thereafter, the Ypsilanti man, riding a Suzuki motorcycle, struck the disabled BMW while reportedly speeding and weaving through traffic. He was ejected from his motorcycle and taken to a local hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries. No other injuries were reported.
During the crash investigation, troopers detected alcohol on the BMW driver, who failed field sobriety tests. She was subsequently arrested, with charges pending a review by prosecutors.
I-696 was closed for several hours as the investigation took place. “This crash highlighted the dangerous driving behaviors we see causing preventable crashes,” said MSP Lt. Mike Shaw. “We continue to remind drivers to slow down, especially in construction zones, and do not get behind the wheel impaired.”