Teen falls asleep at the wheel, crashes into police cruiser, police say

(Gray News) - A Michigan State Police trooper was injured when a teen driver fell asleep while driving and crashed into a stopped patrol vehicle.

Investigators said the trooper was arresting a suspected impaired driver during a Wednesday traffic stop on Interstate 75 near Clarkston.

The Metro North Post trooper was in the driver's seat, and the impaired driving suspect was handcuffed in the front passenger side when a 16-year-old boy crashed a Dodge Durango [1] into the patrol car, police said.

State police said preliminary findings from the investigation revealed that the 16-year-old fell asleep at the wheel and drifted onto the shoulder, striking the cruiser without braking.

State police say the 16-year-old boy fell asleep at the wheel and drifted onto the shoulder, striking the cruiser without braking.(Michigan State Police)

Both the trooper and the impaired driving suspect sustained cuts to their faces. The trooper was also treated for a possible broken arm. They were both taken to an area hospital.

"We are very fortunate that the injuries in this crash were not more serious, or even fatal," Michigan State Police First Lieutenant Mike Shaw said.

The 16-year-old, who was not seriously injured, was taken into custody for reckless driving [2] and later released to his mother.

State police say the 16-year-old boy fell asleep at the wheel and drifted onto the shoulder, striking the cruiser without braking.(Michigan State Police)

"The one message we can take from this crash is to wear your seatbelt when in the car.

It will save your life," Shaw added.

Speed and impairment are not believed to be factors in the crash.

References

^ 16-year-old boy crashed a Dodge Durango (twitter.com)
^ taken into custody for reckless driving (twitter.com)