Three killed when wrong-way driver crashes head-on into Tesla on M-14 ramp in Salem Township: MSP

SALEM TWP. (WWJ) -- Three people are dead after a crash involving a wrong-way driver on the Gotfredson Road ramp to eastbound M-14 in Washtenaw County.

This happened shortly after 7:15 a.m. Wednesday in Salem Township, west of Plymouth Township.

According to Michigan State Police, a preliminary investigation found that the driver of a Nissan Rogue was traveling in the wrong direction on M-14, and then exited the freeway onto the eastbound entrance ramp from Gotfredson.

On the ramp, police said the Nissan crashed head-on into a Tesla that was entering the eastbound freeway.

All three people in the two cars involved in the crash were killed, police said.

The Tesla driver was identified as a a 53-year-old man from Munith, Michigan.

The Nissan driver was identified as a 31-year-old Battle Creek man, and his passenger was a 27-year-old Battle Creek woman, according to MSP.

Tipster Paul from Troy, who was driving in the area, said saw the cars involved, and a lot of police on the scene.

"There were probably at least ten police cars, and there were two cars — one of which was in the ditch, and one which was smoking," Paul told WWJ's Taylor Dietz.

Chief Jim Rockwell, with Salem Township Fire Department, confirmed that the collision did cause the Tesla to catch fire which took the firefighters some time to put out.

He told WWJ's Tom Pamplin with so many different electric vehicles coming online, keeping up with the different systems requires constant training.

"So, obviously, as we get battery-operated cars more and more into our system, if you will, we're getting more and more challenges with that we see," Rockwell said.

He said his department is fortunate to have hi-tech thermal blankets which are thrown over burning EVs to starve the fire of oxygen, and they were put to use today.

The eastbound entrance ramp to eastbound M-14 was closed for several hours following the crash, but has since reopened.

MSP said it's unknown if alcohol or drugs were a factor in the crash, as the investigation continues.

Stay with WWJ for the latest updates.

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