Detroit man killed in three-car crash on I-75 in Monroe County

ERIE TOWNSHIP (WWJ) A Detroit man died in a crash on I-75 in Monroe County’s Erie Township.

The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office said the crash happened on Sunday (7/28) at 12:21 a.m. north of Erie Road.

According to the sheriff’s office; preliminary investigation showed Cianna Rook, 18 of Holland, Ohio, was driving a 2018 Nissan Altima in the right lane of southbound I-75 within a construction zone. Sauedio Wertz, 18 also of Holland, was in the front seat passenger. Rook struck an unoccupied 2008 Ford Escape that was disabled in the right lane with its hazard lights activated.

After the crash, Rook and Wertz activated the Nissan’s hazard lights, got out of the car and ran over the west side Jersey barrier wall “for safety,” the sheriff’s office said.

Eddie Dillard, 59 of Detroit, was driving a 2020 International box truck in the right lane of southbound I-75. He struck the Nissan and the Ford Escape, coming to rest across both southbound lanes and overturning on its side.

Dillard was pronounced dead at the scene.

Rook and Wertz were hospitalized in ProMedica Toledo Hospital in Toledo in stable condition.

The sheriff’s office said all three people were wearing seatbelts; and airbags deployed on the Nissan and Ford Escape. Dillard’s truck did not have an airbag system.