State Police Motor Carrier Officer Receives Fatal Injuries After Being Struck While In Patrol Vehicle on Traffic Stop

The Michigan State Police (MSP) is deeply saddened to share that Motor Carrier Officer Daniel Kerstetter with the Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division will be removed from life support pending the completion of his family’s decision to donate his organs. MC Officer Kerstetter was not able to overcome injuries he sustained as a result of a September 13, 2024, on-duty traffic crash.

MC Officer Kerstetter, 45 years of age, joined the MSP in January of 2023, graduating as a member of the 26th Motor Carrier Officer Recruit School on May 25, 2023. He was assigned to the Metro North Post. MC Officer Kerstetter was married and has three children.

“We are heartbroken for this loss,” said Col. James F. Grady II, director of the MSP. “Traffic enforcement is dangerous work. The dedication of our motor carrier officers and troopers to keeping the public safe on our roadways is commendable and honorable. With the decision to give the gift of life, even in his death, MC Officer Kerstetter is serving others.”

At approximately 8:30 a.m. on Sept. 13, MC Officer Kerstetter was stopped on the side of Northbound I-75 near Dix in Lincoln Park conducting a traffic stop, when his patrol vehicle was struck by another motorist. MC Officer Kerstetter was seated in his vehicle with his seat belt on at the time of the crash. Preliminary investigation and witness statements indicate that a Ford Explorer struck the median wall before continuing down the freeway, eventually striking MC Officer Kerstetter’s patrol vehicle, and pushing it into the back of the semi-truck. The driver of the Ford Explorer did not survive the crash. The semi-truck driver was not injured.

The MSP wishes to acknowledge our many police partners and emergency responders who assisted at the scene and who continue to provide support to our department. We also want to thank the staff and medical professionals at Detroit Receiving Hospital for their supportive care.

Motor carrier officers are armed uniformed members of the MSP who specialize in commercial vehicle enforcement. They enforce traffic safety laws on commercial vehicles, protect the infrastructure through aggressive size and weight enforcement, conduct commercial vehicle and driver inspections and contribute to homeland security efforts by enforcing hazardous material regulations.

The traffic crash remains under investigation.