Darren Weathers was known as 'Lucky' around the Detroit Police Department. He was only 25 years old and with just over a year in the department, he made quite the lasting impact.
"He's truly a hero and one of Detroit's finest," said Detroit Police Chief James Craig.
"Our heart and prayers go out to not only members of his unit, the entire DPD, and certainly his family," he said. The chief says Weathers was alone in an unmarked squad car doing a training exercise Tuesday morning along Michigan Avenue near Clark. The crash so violent - Weathers squad car was split in half.
"There was another member of his team following some distance behind. She actually witnessed the accident and called the accident in," Craig said.
Craig says another car was involved with two or three occupants, but says those passengers weren't hurt. It's too soon to know if speed played a role.
In his short time with the department Weathers has been hailed a hero. Last April, his partner Waldis Johnson was shot in the head. Weathers is credited with saving him and was awarded the medal of valor.
"For a young officer to respond that way, he relied on his training, his instincts," Craig said.
It wasn't just on the job where he was a stand out. A video of Weathers went viral over the summer when he stopped in his uniform to play with a group of kids.
"It's certainly a dark day. It's a very difficult day for the Detroit Police Department," Craig said.
Weathers has a young daughter. She was actually already coming up from Georgia to visit her dad when the crash happened.
Just 2 weeks ago Officer Darren Weathers was posting a "Rest In Peace" to his fallen brother in blue.