Crash Injures 2 Canton Police Officers, Michigan State Police Investigating

Two Canton Police officers suffered minor injuries after an overnight car crash on I-275, just south of Ford Road.

“Luckily it didn’t turn out as tragically as it could have,” said Canton Police Deputy Chief Robert Kerr. He said no names of the people involved are being released at this time.

The two officers, both men, are expected to be back to work this week. One returns to work today, Kerr said.

Canton Police issued a statement Thursday morning, indicating the incident happened at about 12:30 a.m., an officer's patrol car was pulled over on the shoulder with its emergency lights activated. A second officer pulled up behind the patrol car, with his emergency lights activated and walked to the passenger window of the first patrol car.

Moments later, a 2005 Pontiac Vibe driven by a 24-year-old Dearborn Heights woman, hit the driver's side of the first patrol car. Because of the impact of the crash the second officer, who had been standing next to the first patrol car, was thrown 15 feet.

Kerr said the video shows the officers “were doing everything according to policy and procedure.”

The police officer in the patrol car at the time of the accident was taken to the hospital where he was treated and released. The second officer, who had been outside the vehicle, “didn’t get medical attention until a couple hours later in the shift,” Kerr said. Both will be back to work this week.

The incident, he said, is a good reminder for everyone to be cautious on the road.

“First of all, when the weather is inclement, like it was last night, people need to drive extra carefully and drive according to the conditions. When they come upon a police car with its lights on, according to the law, they are supposed to move over one lane,” Kerr said. “But if they can’t do that, the law allows them to slow down and remain in their same lane.”

He said drivers should “always be aware of the other cars around your vicinity, so you can make those adjustments.”

Kerr said the police video from the incident shows the second officer “turned around to make sure no one was headed toward him” when he exited his vehicle, but the Pontiac Vibe did not appear until the officer had stepped to the second patrol car.

The woman driving the Pontiac Vibe was not hurt, nor was her 26-year old male passenger, according to police. Details have not been released as to whether speed or alcohol may have been factors or why the first police officer had initially pulled over.

Michigan State Police are investigating the accident and will decide what, if any, charges are filed against the Pontiac Vibe driver.