Two suspected of drunken driving on I-696 hurt in head-on crash

Two drivers suspected of drunken driving were injured Sunday after their vehicles crashed into each other on Interstate 696 in Madison Heights, state police said.

Dispatchers received multiple 911 calls at about 4:30 a.m. about a wrong-way driver on I-696 and a crash between two vehicles, authorities said.

According to a preliminary investigation, a Chrysler 300 was traveling east in the westbound lanes of I-696 when it struck a Jeep Grand Cherokee head-on.

Troopers spoke with the Chrysler's driver, a 40-year-old Eastpointe man. They suspected he was intoxicated and medics took him to a hospital for injuries he suffered in the crash. Police obtained a warrant for blood to be drawn for analysis, officials said.

They also spoke to the Jeep's driver, a 52-year-old Indiana man also suspected of driving while impaired, police said. Medics took him to a hospital where his blood was drawn for testing.

No injuries were reported, police said.

"Two drivers, both showing signs of impairment, were involved in this crash,” MSP First Lt. Mike Shaw said in a statement. "Over the weekend, troopers in the district arrested 13 impaired drivers. There are so many options available to avoid getting behind the wheel impaired."

cramirez@detroitnews.com

@CharlesERamirez