Oak Park — A Clawson man who police say caused a fiery crash July 15 that destroyed a freeway bridge near Oak Park, Michigan and caused an estimated $2 million-plus in damage received a speeding ticket Wednesday that will likely result ina $200 fine and two points on his driving record.

State Police said Saied Haidarian Shahri, a 27-year-old Wayne State University graduate student, was using a newly minted driver’s license when he apparently took an Interstate 75 curve too fast in a 2004 Honda Civic and collided with a tanker carrying more than 13,000 gallons in diesel fuel and gasoline. The crash triggered an inferno that brought down the Nine Mile overpass and blocked a key commuting artery into downtown.

Truck Accident Tanker Explosion. Watch Video

A preliminary investigation found Shahri lost control of his car while heading north on I-75, crossed two lanes of traffic and struck the tanker driven by Michael St. John, 44, of Armada, said Lt. Shannon Sims of the Michigan State Police Metro North Post.

“Some people might be outraged (by this ticket), but if you take away the explosion and all the resulting damage, this is what anyone would be charged with for a similar accident involving another car: a violation of the basic speed law,” said Sims.

Shahri could not be reached for comment Wednesday. Sims noted investigators could never determine Shahri’s speed but that there is a 50 mile an hour speed limit on the curve.

The offense requires Shahri to appear at Hazel Park District Court within 14 days to plead guilty and pay a fine to be determined by the court or to enter a not guilty plea and request a hearing.

Generally, those who violate the speed law in Hazel Park are fined $110; $150 if there is property damage and $200 if there is a related injury, a court clerk said.

Shahri, St. John and the driver of a second truck escaped the blaze with minor injuries.

While the freeway reopened this week, the Michigan Department of Transportation said it could take up to four months before the Nine Mile bridge reopens, MDOT spokesman Rob Morosi said.

For more information about this story  contact mmartindale@detnews.com (734) 462-2672

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