Plymouth man killed amid traffic crash early Thursday on I-275 near Livonia

A fatal crash on southbound Interstate 275 early Thursday snarled traffic in Metro Detroit as motorists tried to find alternate routes or got stuck in the backups.

The Livonia Police Department, which is investigating, says there was a traffic fatality in the crash involving a tractor-trailer and a Camaro. The victim was a 21-year-old man from Plymouth.

The crash happened about 3:56 a.m. between Seven Mile Road / Exit 169 and Eight Mile Road / Exit 167 in the Livonia area, according to a traffic report from the Michigan Department of Transportation. Police said preliminary investigation showed the Camaro was trying to pass the semi truck, but the driver lost control of the car and spun out in front of the truck.

Police believe that speed, weather and road conditions contributed to the rash.

There was light fog and drizzle in Metro Detroit early Thursday.   

The initial crash investigation and cleanup snarled traffic for hours. By 5:45 a.m., there were over a dozen police and emergency vehicles in the area of the crash or involved with blocking traffic ahead. The traffic backup on I-275 reached up to the I-696 junction at Novi by that time, with heavy traffic extending further back as morning commutes picked up. 

The entire section of I-275 was closed for hours; the two right lanes were opened about 8:47 a.m.  

MDOT's suggested detour during the delay was for motorists to re-enter southbound I-275 at Seven Mile Road.   

MDOT traffic reports can be found at the MI Drive website.