Police Blotter: Officer Saves Puppy on the Ice and Fatal Crash Investigated

Fatal car crash

Troopers from the Michigan State Police are investigating a fatal car crash on west bound Interstate 94, near Shady Lane. Police report the car was speeding about 12:25 a.m. Thursday before the driver lost control, left the roadway and struck a metal sign post, and came to rest against a tree near the top of the right embankment where it caught fire. The driver, whose name is not being released pending notification of family, was pronounced dead at the scene. The freeway shut down for most of the night due to the accident. Anyone with information about the accident is asked to call the Michigan State Police at 248-584-5740.

Officer saves dog on the ice

Police officials say officer Lucas Balch "went above and beyond the call of duty" Tuesday afternoon for saving a puppy who ventured out on thin ice on the Lavon canal. When Balch arrived on the scene he saw the dog struggling to stay afloat, said Glenn Bowlin, St. Clair Shores police deputy chief. The "quick-thinking" officer grabbed an aluminum ladder and placed it on the ice. He then took off his gun belt and vest and began to crawl across the ice to get to the dog. When he got close to the dog, he used a "catch pole" from animal control officer Tom Massey to pull the dog to safety. Officers later determined the dog belonged to the fiance of a firefighter.