FLINT, Mich. — Rex, a Michigan State Police K-9 known in the department for his adept search skills, died after a drunk driver crashed into the patrol vehicle he was in early Sunday morning, investigators said.

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The canine unit was helping direct traffic on M-10 highway because of flooding in the area when at 1:05 a.m. a car traveling at “freeway speed” crashed into the parked Chevrolet Tahoe, MLive.com reported.

The occupants of the car where taken to a hospital. The driver suffered serious injuries and is believed to have be under the influence of alcohol, investigators said. A female passenger in the front seat was in critical condition. A female passenger in the back seat also suffered serious injuries.

A state trooper suffered non-life-threatening leg injuries.

Rex suffered severe leg and spine injuries and was taken to a veterinary hospital where he later died.

“(Rex) was known for his determination in searching for suspects and articles,” the state patrol said on social media. “He was a tremendous partner to his handler and was an asset to the post.”

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