With yet another winter storm warning running all the way through Friday evening at 7pm, this has already been a winter to remember, and not often in a good way. Long-haul truckers are being lambasted on social media today for multiple incidents along Interstates 94 and 196, including one incident in which a police officer had his squad car slammed into by a speeding semi between Coloma and Watervliet.
Coloma Township Police reported the incident on their Facebook page with a simple statement reading:
“This morning at approximately 10:30 one of our officers was on I-94 working a traffic crash when the patrol car he was in was struck by a semi tractor trailer that had lost control. Thankfully, the officer was treated and released for minor injuries and is resting at home.”
The officer involved in that terror-filled moment was Officer Wes Smigielski, who says he’s very sore, but otherwise okay. Here’s what he had to say about it on his Facebook page:
“Thank you everyone I am at home just sore with a little back pain. That was scary for sure. I pray semi drivers that may have been involved or drive past the accident can learn that going fast in those conditions does nothing but get people hurt. I almost didn’t come today because of an (bleep) semi driver going too fast. Please slow down and move over for officers. I pray for my fellow officers to be safe and keep your heads on a swivel out there.”
The Coloma Township Police post has already been shared more than 100 times and rising, drawing more than 50 comments on the original post alone, many express fear for peoples lives on the highways. More than 100 people, many fellow police officers, responded to Wes’ post in some manner or other including a Berrien County Trial Court Judge who excoriated errant semi drivers saying, “Glad you’re OK Wes. These semi’s need to slow down. Nearly every time there’s a big winter pileup on 94 it’s because a semi was driving too fast. SLOW DOWN!!!!!!”
The unidentified truck driver was ticketed by police for hitting Smigelski and the incident remains under investigation.
With substantial snowfall still expected over the next 48-hours and frequent white out conditions, authorities are asking everyone to make sure your headlights are on, even in daylight conditions, slow down dramatically, and drive defensively.
