Crime & Safety

Oakland County Medical Examiner Rules Firefighter's Death a Suicide

Daniel Armitage died after being struck on I-696 in Farmington Hills.

The death of Ann Arbor firefighter Daniel Armitage on I-696 in Farmington Hills Thursday has been ruled a suicide, the Oakland County Medical Examiner's office announced today. 

The 41-year-old Bloomfield Hills resident died at around 6:30 a.m., after being struck multiple times. The accident closed down the freeway from Telegraph Rd. to Orchard Lake Rd. for six hours, backing up traffic for miles as Michigan State Police (MSP) investigated. 

Ruben Ortiz-Reyes, deputy medical examiner, told the Detroit Free Press today that information provided by MSP led to the suicide ruling. Witnesses said Armitage was lying in the lane of traffic before he was struck by as many as three vehicles. 

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Initial reports in local media indicated Armitage was changing a tire on his SUV, as lug nuts were loosened on the tire and the spare was out. But police raised questions when their investigation showed the tire was not flat and had no leaks or damage. 

Investigators with the Bloomfield Township Police Department are also looking into a report of domestic assault at Armitage's home. Department officials said they will not discuss the possible incident or the investigation until it is complete.

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Armitage's wife was hospitalized last week in in Royal Oak, Michigan State Police Trooper Paul Shunia told the Free Press.

Armitage is also survived by three young children.

If you need immediate help with depression or suicidal thoughts, or you know someone who does, call 9-1-1 or go to the nearest emergency room.

Help is available at the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-TALK; Common Ground Mental Health and Crisis Intervention at 800-231-1127; and at  at 248-474-4701. You can find the Farmington Area Suicide Awareness Group on Facebook.

 


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