Road named for Mich. firefighter killed in hit-and-run

Firefighter Dennis Rodeman was killed after being struck by a driver during a “Fill the Boot” fundraiser

April 06, 2016 09:02 PM

Detroit Free Press

LANSING, Mich. — A bill signed by Gov. Rick Snyder designates a portion of the Interstate 96 business route in Lansing in honor of a firefighter killed while collecting donations for charity.

Democratic state Rep. Tom Cochran of Mason originally proposed renaming Interstate 496 in Lansing after Dennis Rodeman, who was struck Sept. 9, but the roadway already has a designation for Ransom E. Olds, the namesake of Oldsmobile.

Cochran updated his proposal following opposition from those wanting to preserve Olds’ automobile legacy.

Snyder’s office on Tuesday announced the bill signing designates the stretch of the I-96 business route as “Lansing Firefighter Dennis E. Rodeman Memorial Highway.” Police say the driver of a pickup truck intentionally struck Rodeman at an intersection while the firefighter was on duty and collecting money.

Community Awareness Fallen Firefighters Firefighter Memorials Hit-and-Run Line of Duty Death Volunteer