Fatal Accident Shuts Down Eastbound I-94 At I-696

SAINT CLAIR SHORES (WWJ) - Police say an hours-long freeway closure in St. Clair Shores was the result of an apparent suicide.

The incident unfolded early Tuesday morning just past the I-696 merge at Martin Road.

State police started receiving reports around 5:50 a.m. about a man on the shoulder of the freeway gesturing at passing vehicles. Witnesses said, a short time later, it appeared he was intentionally jumping out into traffic before he was struck by a vehicle.

Police say a preliminary investigation revealed the man ran out into the lanes of westbound I-94, then climbed over the median wall and ran into oncoming eastbound traffic where he was hit by a 2015 Jeep Wrangler.

The man, identified by authorities as a 47-year-old male Roseville resident, was declared dead at the scene. His name has not yet been released. The driver of the Jeep, who stopped at the scene, was not injured.

Police earlier said a second vehicle struck the man before leaving the scene, but it's unclear at this time if they are searching for anyone.

Traffic Tipster Don was among the drivers inching their way past the backup.

"Once you got a little further into it, there's a lot of cops, a lot of flares. The actual incident appears to be underneath Martin Road just before the 12 Mile split. Unfortunately, right when you get by everything, you see a bloody sheet covering someone," he said. "Obviously, something went very wrong there."

Eastbound I-94 was closed at I-696 for several hours as police investigated, but has since reopened to traffic.

For the latest from the roads, stay with WWJ Newsradio 950 during Traffic and Weather on the 8s, 24-hours a day. Check for recent incidents now on the CBS Detroit Traffic Page.