Construction Detour Gets Couple Into Accident

MACOMB COUNTY (WWJ) - I-696 is closed both ways between Hoover & Groesbeck for bridge work until Monday morning.  WWJ Newsradio 950's Beth Fisher reports one couple got into an accident trying to get around it.

The construction proved to be trouble for Eastpointe's Brandy Hooten and her boyfriend, Steve, who were detouring around it on the westbound service drive at Bunert when another motorist went through a red flashing light and they collided.

Besides being shaken from the accident, Hooten says she's not pleased because the other driver wasn't cited.

"It's confusing for the people who are ... going westbound because the cones are, like they just start and then you have to get over.  And, basically everybody's just going like really, really fast over there like and there needs to be a light," said Hooten.

Hooten said her air bag deployed and she's okay , but has some minor injury from the air bag and her car is badly damaged.  She says the construction isn't the problem, but says the detour is confusing and she adds people are driving too fast in that area on the service drive.

I-696 is closed until Monday morning due to the bridge work.