Motorcyclist Dies After Hitting Stopped Car on I-696 West
A tragic collision claimed the life of a 20-year-old motorcyclist early Saturday morning in Royal Oak. Motorcyclist dies after hitting stopped car on I-696 West, Michigan State Police reported. The crash unfolded shortly after midnight in a construction zone, underscoring the deadly consequences of impaired and reckless driving.
According to police, the incident began around 12:30 a.m. when a 30-year-old woman from Clio, driving a BMW at high speed, rear-ended a Nissan sedan in the left middle lane of the westbound I-696 freeway. The impact forced the Nissan into the right shoulder wall, where it came to a stop. Moments later, the BMW crashed into the left median wall and became disabled beneath the Campbell Road overpass.
Shortly thereafter, a motorcyclist from Ypsilanti, riding a Suzuki, approached the scene at a high rate of speed. Troopers say the motorcyclist was weaving in and out of traffic and driving recklessly when he collided with the disabled BMW. The impact ejected him from the motorcycle. Emergency responders transported him to a nearby hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries. Fortunately, no other injuries were reported.
During the investigation, Michigan State Police detected signs of intoxication in the BMW driver. Officers reported the smell of alcohol on her breath, and she failed field sobriety tests. She was arrested at the scene, and potential charges are now under review by prosecutors. The freeway remained closed for several hours while investigators processed the crash scene.
“This crash highlights the kind of dangerous driving behaviors that are entirely preventable,” said Lt. Mike Shaw of the Michigan State Police. “We continue urging motorists to slow down in construction zones and never drive while impaired.”
Legal Support and Compensation for Victims and Families
In cases like this, surviving family members may be eligible for various types of compensation. These may include wrongful death damages such as funeral and burial expenses, loss of companionship, future lost income, and emotional suffering. Additionally, if negligence or impairment is proven—as may be the case here—punitive damages may also be pursued to hold the at-fault driver accountable.
At Mihelich & Kavanaugh, PLC, we understand how devastating it is to lose a loved one in a crash caused by another person’s reckless or impaired driving. Our firm stands with grieving families and helps them pursue justice and the compensation they deserve. We investigate every detail of the incident, work directly with insurance companies, and take legal action when needed. Our mission is to reduce your legal burden while you focus on healing.
Call us for a free and confidential case evaluation. We are available by phone, text, and online chat 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Note: Our law office relies on external sources for the content of this post. Although we aim for accuracy, we have not independently verified all facts related to this incident. Please notify Mihelich & Kavanaugh, PLC for corrections if you identify any inaccuracies. Posts will be removed upon request.
Disclaimer: The content of this post is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute a solicitation for business. The information contained herein is not intended to offer legal or medical advice. If you or someone you care about has been injured in an accident, it is recommended to seek immediate medical assistance. The photo featured in this post was not taken at the actual scene of the accident.
