SOUTHFIELD (WWJ) - A young boy is dead after state police said a box truck rear-ended a car that was attempting to get off the Southfield Freeway on Tuesday evening.
State police said the fatal crash happened around 7:40 p.m. Tuesday near 8 Mile Road in Southfield after a Pontiac G6 experienced some sort of mechanical issue.
According to a preliminary investigation by troopers, the driver of the vehicle had the hazard lights on as they were driving southbound very slowly, around 10 mph, in an attempt to exit M-39 at 8 Mile.
It was then the driver of the box truck, also traveling southbound, slammed into the back of the Pontiac.
MSP had initially said the car had a damaged tire, but in an update Wednesday afternoon said "it is undetermined now what the mechanical issue was with the Pontiac G6 and if it was slow moving or stopped."
Police said the driver of the box truck sustained non life-threatening injuries and was taken to a local hospital. The driver and juvenile front seat passenger of the Pontiac, who were both wearing seatbelts, were also taken to the hospital. Their conditions were not known.
Authorities say the 9-year-old who was killed was not wearing a seatbelt.
The driver of the box truck is undergoing a blood draw on suspicion of possible narcotics impairment, police said.
Investigators are working on a search warrant for both vehicles' “Black Boxes,” which could help determine speeds at the time of the crash.
The case remains under police investigation. A crash reconstructionist report, a medical examiner's report and a prosecutor review for possible charges related to the case are all pending at this time.