Driver crashes into Macomb Co. sheriff's patrol car on I-94

An 18-year-old driver crashed into a Macomb County Sheriff's vehicle Monday morning in Clinton Township, authorities said.

Around 12:30 a.m., Sheriff's Deputy Lukas Gjelaj was dispatched to the area of westbound Interstate 94 and Little Mack to assist the Clinton Township Police Department in shutting down the freeway due to a crash, county officials said in a statement.

The deputy positioned his patrol vehicle with overhead lights on in the far-left lane of westbound I-94, just east of Harper Road. He was placing flares onto the road to divert traffic onto the Harper Road North exit when he noticed a white vehicle traveling toward him at a high rate of speed, according to a news release.

Realizing the white Kia Sorento was not going to stop, Gjelaj dove out of the way and the car hit the back of the patrol vehicle, totaling both vehicles, officials said.

The deputy, the 18-year-old Kia driver and his 19-year-old passenger, both from Port Huron, were transported to a hospital. No serious injuries were reported.

"Michigan’s Move Over law requires motorists to slow down and move over for stationary authorized vehicles with flashing, rotating, or oscillating lights activated... carefully slow down to at least 10 mph below the posted speed limit and fully move over into an open lane," sheriff's officials said. "If this is not possible due to traffic, weather, or road conditions, slow down to at least 10 mph below the posted speed limit, and pass with caution, allowing the authorized vehicle as much space as possible."

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