Michigan: Alpena Deputy Hit By Van During Traffic Stop in Storm

During Wednesday's storm an Alpena County deputy hit while making a traffic stop. Today that deputy is lucky to be alive after never seeing the minivan that hit him. State Police say blizzard-like conditions are likely a factor in the minivan hitting the deputy. The Alpena deputy was hit when he stopped another car near M-32 and M-65.

A minivan driving in the opposite lane crossed the center line and hit his patrol car. It then hit him. 9 & 10's Blayke Roznowski and Erin Malone have more details on the accident and how you can keep y

"He saw a flash of light and he happened to be looking out of the corner of his eye and by the time it was already too late to do anything about it," Alpena County Sheriff Steven Kieliszewski said.

A scary situation that could have been deadly. Alpena County Deputy Steven Slominski was hit by a minivan during Wednesday night’s storm.

"At the time of the crash it was the heavy snow and wind creating some blizzard like conditions," Michigan State Police Alpena Post Sgt. Joe Richards said. :I’m sure there were periodic white outs at the time."

Deputy Slominski was making a traffic stop because a car passed him in the poor road conditions.

On his way back to the patrol car, the van crossed the center lane, hit his car and then him.

"I don’t know what caused this gentleman, if he became fixated on the lights, if the amount of snow on the road led him to not be able to handle his car at the speed he was going," Sgt. Richards said. "It was my understanding that he did strike the patrol car at a fairly high rate of speed."

"Had he not made contact with the patrol car first, the results could have been a lot worse."

State police say it’s a big reminder to slow down and pay attention when traveling in bad conditions.

"You should you know take more time use your due care and caution," Sgt. Richards said. "If we drive like we're supposed to drive, traffic crashes are not going to happen."

But the Sheriff’s Department is just happy Deputy Slominski is in stable condition.

"Relieved," Sheriff Kieliszewski said. "Relieved is the big word, yeah absolutely, for him and his family. You know he's a great guy, great family, great family man. Good guy, good deputy."

A crash investigation is still ongoing.