Car flips after hitting light pole; drivers warned to slow down

Detroit — Tuesday evening commuters are being warned to take it slow as icy conditions are reported on area roads.

Police are blocking Hindle exit off Interstate 75 due to a light pole being hit by a car on Tuesday. 

As of 3:45 p.m. Tuesday, officers were blocking the area to ensure safety for the downed pole, which caught fire after a vehicle crashed into it. 

Police responded to the scene around 2:45 p.m. for a car that had flipped over after hitting the pole. As of 3:10 p.m., police said DTE Energy had not responded and officers will keep the area secure until they do so. No injuries were reported from the crash.

"What I think happened was this woman hit a bulk of ice that was hidden underneath some snow that made her crash," said Bertha Jackson, who lives on Hindle. "This street always has freezing spots."

The Michigan Department of Transportation reported numerous crashes Tuesday and said drivers are going too fast for conditions. The temperature at 4 p.m. Tuesday in Detroit was 20 degrees, and it's going to get colder before it warms up, according to the National Weather Service.

"Unfortunately, drivers are usually going too fast for the conditions," said MDOT's Diane Cross. "We’ve had some sun and a bit of warmth and the ice has melted a bit, as temps drop, it freezes again and we get more ice. Drivers need to slow down and focus only on driving so they can notice and respond to the roadway conditions."

srahal@detroitnews.com