Man killed by FedEx truck after hitting deer on I-96
A 28-year-old Fenton man stepped out of his truck to check the damage after hitting a deer on I-96, when he was walking around his car he was hit and killed by a FedEx truck.
Michigan State Police Brighton Post troopers responded about 3:25 a.m. Oct. 28 to westbound I-96 east of U.S. 23 in Brighton Township.
A preliminary investigation found that he hit a deer while driving a Ford Escape, then left the SUV stopped in the right lane and got out, likely to inspect the damage.
A box truck moved from the center lane into the right lane and approached the stopped SUV. Its driver swerved right to avoid the Escape and hit the man, police said.
The man was pronounced dead at the scene. The truck driver wasn't injured.
Westbound I-96 closed during the investigation but has since reopened. Police said the investigation is ongoing.
Michigan rules for changing lanes around stopped traffic
On a road with clearly marked lanes, MCL 257.642 requires drivers to first make sure a lane change can be made safely. Michigan Legal Center's explanation of Michigan merging and lane-change rules describes why moving between existing lanes requires a safety check even when a driver has signaled.
Michigan's basic speed law also requires a careful, reasonable speed for traffic and road conditions and a speed that allows a driver to stop within the clear distance ahead. Driving below the posted limit doesn't automatically mean a speed is safe for the conditions.
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