Driver kills Oakland County road worker, injures two others in Farmington Hills crash

Oakland County road work hit, killed by SUV

Farmington Hills Police Chief John Piggott said Oakland County Road Commission employees were working on Orchard Lake Road when a driver crossed the median and hit them. One of the workers was killed, while two others suffered injuries and were taken to a hospital.

FARMINGTON HILLS, Mich. (FOX 2) - Three Oakland County road workers were struck by a vehicle traveling the wrong way down Orchard Lake Road on Wednesday morning, killing one.

The other two remain in critical condition at the hospital as police sort through the crash.

What we know:

Just after 11 a.m. on Orchard Lake Road near Misty Pines Drive, a silver SUV struck three Road Commission of Oakland County workers, killing one and injuring two others.

The driver was traveling in the southbound lanes when they crossed over into the northbound lanes before crashing head-on with a parked county vehicle and hitting the workers.

Farmington Hills police shut down the road between 10 and 11 Mile roads to assess the damage.

The driver of the SUV was also taken to the hospital.

What we don't know:

Chief John Piggott with Farmington Hills police questioned why the driver ended up driving the wrong way on the divided road. 

The crews had taken the proper precautions with lights and cones to alert drivers of their presence, he said. 

"Is it reckless driving? Is it careless driving? Were drugs and alcohol involved? Could it be a medical where someone just passed out and was driving?" Piggot said.

What's next:

Police declined to identify any of those involved, only saying the three road workers were men.

The investigation remains ongoing.

Michigan's Move-Over Law

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.