LINCOLN PARK — The Michigan State Police motor carrier officer who was in his vehicle when it was struck during a traffic stop Friday has died from those injuries.
Officer Daniel Kerstetter, 45, of the state police Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division was removed from life support Monday pending the completion of his family’s decision to donate his organs.
Then, in a procession from Detroit Receiving Hospital to Verheyden Funeral Home in Grosse Pointe Park, his casket was escorted by his family, hospital and funeral home staff, and state police troopers.
Kerstetter died from the catastrophic injuries he suffered as a result of a Sept. 13 on-duty traffic crash, the news release stated.
“We are heartbroken for this loss,” said Col. James F. Grady II, state police director. “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. Friday, 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, the police report said.
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, out of control, down the freeway, eventually striking Kerstetter’s patrol vehicle, and pushing it into the back of the semi-truck. The officer was pinned in the wreckage and had to be extricated, police said.
The driver of the Ford Explorer, a 38-year-old woman, died. The semi-truck driver was not injured.
Kerstetter joined the state police in January 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. He was married and has three children.
“The state police wish to acknowledge our many police partners and emergency responders who assisted at the scene and who continue to provide support to our department,” the state police department news release said. “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 state police 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.