Driver killed after crashing into MSP officer on shoulder of I-75 in Lincoln Park

A driver is dead after crashing into a Michigan State Police officer who had a semi-truck pulled over on I-75 in Lincoln Park on Friday morning.

The motor carrier officer had the semi pulled over on northbound I-75 around 8:40 a.m. The officer was inside his vehicle on the right shoulder when a Ford Explorer slammed into the back of the patrol vehicle, forcing it into the back of the truck.

"He (the officer) was operating on the side, on the shoulder of the road as trained and was unfortunately struck," said MSP Director Col. James F. Grady II. "I just know the motor carrier officer was sitting safely in their car, seat belted as they were supposed to, the way that it is in our policy, and unfortunately he was struck." 

The officer needed to be extricated from the vehicle. He was taken to Detroit Receiving Hospital, where he is coherent and speaking, police said. The driver of the Explorer was killed.

The freeway was closed all morning on Friday and was ultimately reopened just before 12:30.

Michigan's Move Over law requires drivers to slow down and move over for police, fire, EMS, and road service workers, including tow trucks and MDOT courtesy vehicles that have their emergency lights activated. 

If there is no room to move over, drivers must slow down to at least 10 mph below the posted speed limit when approaching the vehicle and pass with caution.

Stay with FOX 2 for updates.