In an incident that has left the Michigan law enforcement community and citizens reeling with grief, Motor Carrier Officer (MCO) Daniel Kerstetter of the Michigan State Police was tragically killed in a car crash on the morning of Friday, September 13, 2024. Officer Kerstetter, a dedicated and well-respected member of the Michigan State Police, lost his life while performing his duty during a routine traffic stop on Interstate 75, northbound, near Dix Highway in Lincoln Park. The tragic sequence of events unfolded just after 8:30 a.m. when a Ford Explorer lost control and struck Officer Kerstetter’s patrol vehicle, pushing it into the rear of a semi-truck, leading to fatal injuries for the officer and the driver of the Ford Explorer.
The events that led to the fatal crash began like any other day for Officer Kerstetter, whose role as a Motor Carrier Officer involved ensuring the safety of commercial vehicles and enforcing traffic laws to maintain safe driving conditions on Michigan’s highways. At approximately 8:30 a.m., he had pulled over a vehicle on the northbound side of I-75, a major interstate that runs through the heart of the state and is often filled with commuter traffic during morning hours. Officer Kerstetter, having made the traffic stop, had positioned his patrol vehicle on the shoulder of the highway. The area was marked with the patrol car’s emergency lights flashing to alert oncoming motorists. While traffic stops are routine, the risk posed to officers working near moving traffic is always present, and tragically, this would be one of those moments where danger turned deadly.
According to preliminary investigations, witnesses reported seeing a Ford Explorer traveling erratically in the moments leading up to the crash. For reasons that are still under investigation, the driver of the Explorer appeared to lose control of her vehicle. The SUV veered across lanes of traffic and collided with the median wall, leaving visible skid marks and damaged concrete as evidence of its impact. However, instead of coming to a stop, the Explorer continued down the freeway, careening toward Officer Kerstetter’s stationary patrol vehicle at high speed. The vehicle slammed into the patrol car with such force that it pushed the officer’s car into the back of a nearby semi-truck that had been parked further down the shoulder.
Officer Kerstetter was seated inside his patrol car, with his seat belt fastened, as recommended by department protocol. The impact of the crash, however, was so violent that his vehicle crumpled like tin foil between the two larger vehicles, trapping him inside. Emergency services were called to the scene immediately, and first responders arrived to find a chaotic and tragic scene. The extent of the damage to Officer Kerstetter’s patrol vehicle was so severe that it took several minutes for the rescue team to extract him from the wreckage using the jaws of life. The efforts to free him were swift but careful, as every moment was critical to saving the officer’s life.
Once Officer Kerstetter was finally freed from the mangled remains of his patrol vehicle, he was rushed by paramedics to DMC Detroit Receiving Hospital, a trauma center in the area that specializes in critical care. Despite the best efforts of medical personnel, Officer Kerstetter succumbed to his injuries. The cause of death was determined to be multiple traumatic injuries sustained during the crash, which had left him in critical condition from the outset.
The female driver of the Ford Explorer, whose name has not yet been released by authorities, was also transported to a local hospital. Unfortunately, she too was pronounced dead upon arrival due to the severe injuries she sustained in the crash. According to witness reports, there were no signs of braking or attempts to avoid the patrol vehicle, leading investigators to believe that the driver may have experienced a medical emergency, distraction, or mechanical failure, though toxicology and forensic tests are pending to determine if any other factors contributed to her loss of control. The semi-truck driver, who was inside his vehicle at the time of the collision, was unharmed but deeply shaken by the incident. He has cooperated fully with investigators and provided a statement regarding the events as he observed them.
The loss of Officer Kerstetter has sent shockwaves through the Michigan State Police Department, where he was highly regarded not only for his dedication and professionalism but also for his character and camaraderie among his fellow officers. Officer Daniel Kerstetter was a seasoned law enforcement professional who had dedicated several years to serving the people of Michigan. His specific role as a Motor Carrier Officer meant that his work focused on enforcing safety regulations for commercial vehicles on Michigan’s highways, a vital function in ensuring the protection of all motorists on the road.
His colleagues, friends, and family are now grappling with the unimaginable loss of a man they described as selfless, hardworking, and dedicated to his community. Michigan State Police Director Col. Joe Gasper released a statement expressing the department’s grief and honoring Officer Kerstetter’s service: “It is with profound sadness that we mourn the loss of Motor Carrier Officer Daniel Kerstetter, who was tragically killed while serving the people of Michigan. Officer Kerstetter embodied the values of our department – integrity, dedication, and service. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family during this incredibly difficult time, and we will ensure they receive the support they need in the days, weeks, and months ahead.”
The community of Lincoln Park, as well as the broader Michigan law enforcement community, has rallied in support of Officer Kerstetter’s family. Vigils and tributes have sprung up across the state, with many citizens leaving flowers, notes, and mementos at the Michigan State Police posts and along the stretch of I-75 where the accident occurred. Social media platforms have been flooded with messages of condolences and tributes to the fallen officer, with many sharing stories of his kindness and commitment to making the roads safer for all.
Officer Kerstetter leaves behind a grieving family, including his wife and two young children. His family has expressed their gratitude for the outpouring of love and support they have received but has also asked for privacy as they navigate this overwhelming loss. “Danny was our rock, our hero,” the family’s statement read. “He loved his job, but more than that, he loved his family. We are heartbroken beyond words, but we take solace in knowing how many lives he touched through his service. We ask for privacy as we process this unimaginable tragedy.”
The investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash remains ongoing, with the Michigan State Police Accident Investigation Unit working alongside local authorities to reconstruct the events that led to the fatal collision. Investigators are reviewing dashcam footage from Officer Kerstetter’s patrol vehicle, traffic camera footage from the area, and data from the vehicles involved in the crash. A full report is expected in the coming weeks, which will shed more light on the factors that contributed to the incident.
The death of Officer Kerstetter has also reignited discussions about the dangers faced by law enforcement officers on the nation’s highways. According to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund, traffic-related incidents are among the leading causes of on-duty deaths for law enforcement officers in the United States. In response to this tragedy, calls for increased safety measures, such as enhanced public awareness campaigns about Move Over laws and increased penalties for motorists who fail to yield to emergency vehicles, have resurfaced.
Motor Carrier Officers like Kerstetter play a crucial role in the safety of Michigan’s roads, and their work often places them in vulnerable positions along busy highways. The tragic death of Officer Daniel Kerstetter underscores the risks that these officers face daily and serves as a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by law enforcement officers in the line of duty.
As the investigation into this heartbreaking incident continues, the legacy of Officer Kerstetter will be remembered by those who knew him best: a man of unwavering integrity, a devoted family man, and a committed public servant who gave his life in the pursuit of a safer world for others. His sacrifice will not be forgotten, and his family, friends, and colleagues will carry his memory with them as they move forward in the wake of this unimaginable tragedy.
