By, Tom Greenwood
The Detroit News
FARMINGTON HILLS, Mich. — For the second time in six years, the Ann Arbor Fire Department has lost a firefighter in a freeway crash.
Early Thursday morning, Daniel E. Armitage — a 16-year department veteran — was struck and killed by a car while changing a tire on westbound Interstate 696 near Farmington Road.
The 41-year-old West Bloomfield Township resident’s death comes nearly six years to the day after Amy Schnearle-Pennywitt was struck from behind by an out-of-control pickup on an icy section of Interstate 94 at Jackson Street on Jan. 7, 2006. Schnearle-Pennywitt, 34, was helping at the scene of a five-car pileup caused by icy roads when she was hit and gravely injured. She died six days later.
“They were both great people and great firefighters,” department Chief Chuck Hubbard said.
“Everybody loved Dan, he was just a fun-loving person and a great father to his three children. I can’t say enough about him; he’s going to be missed.”
City official Steve Powers echoed Hubbard’s sentiments.
“The city is shocked and saddened by the death of firefighter Armitage,” he said. “This is especially hard on the Fire Department, which has lost a friend and colleague. Our thoughts are with his family.”
Powers said the city would consider at a later time lowering city flags in memory of Armitage.
The accident occurred at about 6:30 a.m., according to Lt. Phil Meena of the Metro North Post of the Michigan State Police.
“He had pulled off onto the shoulder of the road,” he said. “We found a tire and jack near the front wheel on the driver’s side. He was struck by a car and then hit by several other vehicles.”
According to Mena, one vehicle swerved to avoid the area and hit the freeway’s retaining wall. One person had minor injuries and was taken to the hospital.
The incident completely closed the westbound lanes from Farmington Road to Telegraph Road. The freeway reopened at about noon.
Armitage was a driver/operator at the Briarwood station in the southern portion of Ann Arbor.
Funeral arrangements were incomplete.
“We haven’t yet talked to the family to find out what their wishes are,” said Hubbard, who has been with the Fire Department for 26 years.
“But whatever they want is what we’re going to give them.”
This marks the second time in a week a pedestrian has died on a Metro Detroit freeway.
On Friday, a man was struck and killed by a truck while walking in traffic on eastbound Interstate 96 near Michigan Avenue in Detroit.
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