State Police Trooper Killed in Crash in Saginaw County

(source: MSP)

State police are investigating a fatal crash in Saginaw County that killed one of their own.

Around 7:10 P.M. Wednesday, troopers with the Tri City Post were investigating a suspected impaired driver they had pulled over on north bound I-75 near Birch Run Road. Police say an 81-year-old driver crashed into two patrol vehicles, also striking 39-year-old Trooper Joel Popp, who was outside the vehicles. Popp was taken to Hurley Medical Center in Flint where died from his injuries. Police say the elderly driver was also seriously injured but is expected to survive.

Popp began his career with the state police in 2020 after graduating from the 137th Trooper recruit School. He served at the Tri City Post since then. He is survived by his wife Stephanie and a daughter.