ST. CLAIR SHORES (WWJ) - A major freeway in Macomb County was shut down for several hours Thursday evening following a fatal crash that claimed the life of one driver.
St. Clair Shores police along with fire fighters responded to the scene on westbound I-94 near Stephens after receiving reports of a serious crash around 4:45 p.m.
Upon arrival, officers found a single vehicle, reported as a pick-up truck, wrecked after striking a tree. The driver was pronounced dead, authorities said.
Investigators shutdown the freeway for five and a half hours to collect evidence to find out what led to the deadly crash. The closure caused massive traffic back-ups during the afternoon rush hour. Drivers were rerouted off the freeway and allowed to re-enter at Nine Mile Road.
According to St. Clair Shores police, a preliminary investigation found that the driver was traveling west on I-94 when the driver lost control of their truck and drove up an embankment, rolled over and crashed into a tree.
Authorities said they are withholding the name of the victim as they work to notify family members.
It remains unclear what caused the crash, but police are actively investigating the case.