Deputy Injured, Traffic Jammed Following I-75 Chase

PONTIAC (WWJ) - An Oakland County Sheriff's deputy has been sent to the hospital after a chase Wednesday afternoon.

As the afternoon rush began, traffic along southbound I-75 remained backed up about 10 to 12 miles in portions of Detroit and Royal Oak.  The backup continued for about two hours, even after the scene had been cleared.

Reporting from the sky in Chopper 950, WWJ's Lance Howard said northbound I-75 was jammed as well due to "gawker traffic."

Police said it all started in Pontiac with what they believe may have been a purse snatching. They said when they tried to stop the suspects, the two women fled down southbound I-75. Police said they tried to block them in, and that's when the driver struck one of the officer's cars along the freeway near seven-and-a half mile, causing their vehicle to flip over.

The deputy was expected to be okay.

The suspects were also transported to a local hospital with minor injuries.

For the latest from the freeways, keep it tuned to WWJ Newsradio 950 for traffic and weather, every 10 minutes on the 8s.  - More now on our traffic page -