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1 dead after car crashes into wall outside Macomb County court building, explodes

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MOUNT CLEMENS, Mich. (WXYZ) — A person has died after a vehicle crashed into a wall outside the Macomb County Circuit Court building in Mount Clemens Wednesday evening.

The crash happened around 7:20 p.m. The sheriff said the initial call came in as an explosion at the court building.

Witnesses told authorities that the vehicle was traveling northbound on Gratiot Avenue at a high rate of speed, got to the intersection of Cass Avenue, left the roadway, went onto the sidewalk and crashed into a cement wall near the court building.

Upon impact, the vehicle exploded. When deputies arrived, they saw the vehicle in flames.

One person was inside the car and died.

Investigators believe they have identified the victim but have not released a name. Additional information will be released after the victim is positively identified, which could be on Thursday, Macomb County Sheriff Anthony Wickersham said.

"It's just a matter of doing our thorough investigation, speaking to potential family members and then as always, we're asking anybody that may have been a witness to this crash to give us a call and give us their statement," Wickersham said.

He said investigators are working to learn what led up to the driver speeding before the crash.

"We're going to do our job just to make sure everything is properly done and we have answers for the family," Wickersham said.

A crash team is investigating the incident.

Northbound Gratiot Avenue closed between Crocker Boulevard and Market Street while investigators were at the scene.

**Editor's note: Authorities originally said the vehicle hit the court building but have since said it hit a wall near the building.