Crash Along I-94 In Harper Woods Kills 4 People, Toddler Survives

HARPER WOODS (WWJ) - Four people are dead after a horrific crash along eastbound I-94 in Harper Woods Monday morning.

About 1 a.m. a 2006 Buick SUV traveling with five people inside crashed after losing control under the 8 Mile Road overpass -- killing all but one person inside reports WWJ's Charlie Langton.

The only survivor, a one-year-old, was secured in a car seat.

The victims: three men and one woman, ranging in age from 18 to 20 years old --were killed instantly.

Police have identified the victims; the driver, 20-year old Doreal Rodgers of Detroit. The passengers were 20-year-old Alesia Maddox along with Armonie Maddox and Ervin Johnson - both 18-years-old.

A one-year-old child in the vehicle was buckled in a car seat and suffered minor injuries.

The woman in the car identified by police as the child's mother.

Shannon Thurman lives in the area and heard the heavy presence of first responders:

"Sirens and sirens and sirens. This curve has a lot of issues traffic wise - so of course I came out to see what was going on," she said. "A lot of police cars, multiple firetrucks and two bodies covered in sheets lying on the road."

Preliminary investigation states the SUV was travelling in the left lane at a high rate of speed passing other traffic when the driver lost control while passing other traffic, crossing three lanes of traffic and struck the bridge.

The passengers were not wearing seat belts.

There is no evidence of alcohol or narcotics being a factor - the investigation continues.

I-94 in Harper Woods reopened shortly after 7 a.m.

Michigan State Police Lt. Michael Shaw says this is one of the worst accidents the troopers have ever dealt with.

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