Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard returned home from a trip to Washington around the time federal authorities say a regional jet collided with a Black Hawk military helicopter near the same airport he flew out of on Wednesday.

Bouchard left Reagan National Airport in Arlington, Virginia, just one hour before midair crash. He was in Washington for a Major County Sheriffs of America meeting.

Watch our report with Sheriff Michael Bouchard in the video player below: Oakland County sheriff left Washington one hour before jet, helicopter collide

Officials say the American Airlines regional jet originating from Wichita, Kansas, was carrying 64 people on board. CNN reported that three people were on the Army helicopter that came out of Fort Belvoir, Virginia.

There was no word of casualties Wednesday night. A massive search and rescue operation including divers in the Potomac River was underway.

Bouchard joined 7 News Detroit live Wednesday night over the phone.

Well obviously, its a shock to everybody. I mean usually, you dont see a lot of midair collisions and so theres gonna be a lot of fact finding to figure this out, Bouchard said. I know in our helicopters, our police helicopters in Oakland County, when Ive been in them, it will actually give you an audible (saying) collision, collision, collision. It actually starts talking to you if it tracks that there is some anticipatory path that it sees as a collision.

Video shows officials at the airport Aircraft reported in Potomac River as Regan National Airport issues ground stop

Experts have said the crash should never have happened because warnings go out telling a pilot to rise when needed.

You got... families potentially just had their lives completely turned upside down, Bouchard said.

Bouchard said he saw a lot of air traffic and weather conditions were windy and icy.

Its terrible, especially when you think typically a midair collision is not of a high likelihood of survivors. So again, youre going to have devastated friends and family all across the country from this tragedy, Bouchard said.

Bouchard says authorities will be investigating what went wrong.

Im in a business where we see terrible tragedy and loss of life, but its a reminder how close we all are to that instance that we dont know whats coming, Bouchard said. Having flown out just before that from that very same airport, its chilling even to me to live in the world of tragedy.

A public health advisory was issued in Washington Township on Wednesday due to a rupture in the sewer system.

Thousands of gallons of raw sewage may have went into the Clinton River, however, officials in Washington Township say the leak is under control.

Full story: Sewage break prompts public health advisory in Washington Township Sewage break prompts public health advisory in Washington Township

The break happened Tuesday night in Macomb Township on Hayes Road near 25 and 26 Mile roads, according to Washington Township Supervisor Sebastian Sam Previti. The sewage pipe impacted serves Washington Township.

Previti said officials monitored the situation when it happened and did not think it was severe. However, that changed Wednesday afternoon when officials realized it was much worse.

Macomb County got involved and the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy has been contacted, township officials said.

VIDEO: Chopper 7 captures crews working to fix the sewage break Chopper 7 captures sewage break that prompted health advisory in Washington Township

Hayes Road is closed between 25 Mile and 26 Mile roads until further notice. Residents are being urged to avoid the Middle Branch of the Clinton River.

Test samples have been taken of the Middle Branch Clinton River as crews work to prevent raw sewage from getting into the river. Officials are requesting that people avoid the river for the next 72 hours.

"Currently, we're afraid that there may be a possibility of seepage into the river, so we did take water samples. Well know that first thing in the morning," Previti said.

Theyre also urging residents to exercise responsible water usage over the next 48 hours, meaning refraining from running the dishwasher and washing machine and taking shorter showers to alleviate sewage.

Normally, between 5 and 9 p.m. is the high usage rates. Everyone comes home and the usage is up. By sending that alert, the normal rate actual dropped, Previti said.

The township says septic systems were not impacted.

Crews have been filling massive tanks to carry past the break to pump back into the sewage system. Previti estimated Wednesday night that 500,000 gallons have gone through the pipe since the break. He believes the crews have kept most of it out of the river.

Our big concern was obviously the overflowing of sewage to make sure it doesn't go into the river or the soccer field nearby, Previti said.

The pipe is more than 45 years old, Previti said. It's estimated that about 21,000 gallons run through the pipe every hour.

A replacement pipe is expected to arrive from Grand Rapids early Thursday morning around 3 a.m. or 4 a.m.

Officials are hoping to have a temporary fix Thursday morning with a more permanent fix likely coming Friday.

**Editor's note: Township officials in a previous version of this article said raw sewage was going into the Middle Branch Clinton River. They later said they are not sure about that and test samples were taken. We have updated this article to reflect that.

Metro Detroit dog lovers will soon have another place to take their pups. A new dog park is set to open in Southfield this summer.

Barkside, a Detroit dog park and bar, announced its opening another location at 15640 West Eleven Mile Road.

Related Video: Barkside opens on Detroit's east side Dog bar opens on Detroit's east side

Barkside Southfield will feature 6,000 square feet of indoor play space and 7,000 square feet of outdoor space, offering an experience for dogs and their humans, blending community, craft beverages, and safe, year-round fun.

Our vision for Barkside has always been about more than just a bar or a dog park. Its about creating a place where dog lovers and dogs can safely socialize, unwind, and have fun, said founders Cody Williams and David Oh in a press release. Southfields central location makes it the perfect spot to bring Barksides unique concept and strong sense of community to even more Metro Detroit dog lovers.

Courtesy: Stucky Vitale Architects

Barkside said the outdoor space will be fully fenced with dog-friendly mulch and drainage in the event of rain. There will also reportedly be dedicated indoor and outdoor play areas specially designed for small dogs.

The bars menu will reportedly include Michigan-made beer, craft cocktails, wine, mocktails, and coffee.

Courtesy: Stucky Vitale Architects

For more information on Barkside, click here.

Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib stood alongside other officials on Wednesday morning to speak on immigrant rights, after thousands of immigrants were arrested nationwide over the last few days.

WATCH THE FULL PRESS CONFERENCE IN THE VIDEO PLAYER BELOW WATCH: Rashida Tlaib and other officials speak at Know Your Rights press conference held by ACRL

"We're here to say 'not on our watch'. We're going to protect our neighbors," Tlaib said. "So not on our watch will you come and use racist policies (and) use stereotypes to try to depict our neighbors as criminals, as violent people. They are not. They are some of the hardest-working, most loving community members that you will ever find."

This comes after reports of increased presence of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers in Michigan cities such as Ann Arbor and Detroit have been confirmed by officials as President Donald Trump continues his nationwide immigration crackdown.

WATCH OUR PREVIOUS COVERAGE: ICE Activity spotted from Ann Arbor to Detroit ICE activity spotted from Ann Arbor to Detroit RELATED: Arab American Civil Rights League holds Know Your Rights press conference in Dearborn Arab American Civil Rights League holds Know Your Rights press conference in Dearborn

Tlaib was joined at the press conference by:

Detroit City Council Member Gabriela Santiago-Romero Ruby Robinson, Managing Attorney, Michigan Immigrant Rights Center Adonis Flores, Training Director, Michigan United Action Seydi Sarr, African Bureau for Immigration and Social Affairs (ABISA) Ramis Wadood, Staff Attorney, ACLU of Michigan

"This country is a nation of immigrants," Santiago-Romero said. "And unfortunately immigrants right now, particularly immigrants of color, are being villainized. I'm here to remind folks that undocumented immigrants pay billions of dollars in taxes. We are an important piece ... of the fabric of this country."

More info on knowing your rights is on this website, written in both English and Spanish.

Where Your Voice Matters

Police in Detroit are asking for help with finding a missing woman who reportedly has schizophrenia.

CherJon Hickerson, 31, was last seen Monday on Russell Street near Frederick Avenue.

Her stepfather told police that Hickerson has schizophrenia.

Shes described as 5-foot-10 and about 150 pounds with brown hair and brown eyes. She was last seen wearing a gray zip-up hooded sweatshirt, burgundy and purple shirt, black leggings and black shoes.

Anyone with information about her whereabouts is asked to call the Detroit Police Departments 3rd Precinct at 313-596-1340 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-SPEAK-UP.

A 4-year-old boy is recovering after he shot himself in the hand in Detroit on Friday afternoon, police said.

The incident happened around 12:30 p.m. on the citys west side on Fullerton Avenue near Dexter Avenue.

According to police, the child got a hold of an unsecured gun inside the home and accidentally shot himself. The boy was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he is listed in good condition.

Police said the boys mother and another adult family member were home at the time. No other children were inside the home, police said.

His mother, she was distraught a little. She says she was playing with the kid and he disappeared and before she know it, she heard a 'pow,'" neighbor Willie Campbell said. "She was upset. She collapsed in my arms.

At least two handguns were found by police, which they say were left out in the open. The other family member was take into custody for having outstanding warrants.

"If they have a firearm, which they're allowed to have, if they're allowed to have one, it needs to be secured. It can't just be out and especially down in an area that a small child or anybody can get to. It's a gun owner or gun possessor's responsibility to secure that gun and make sure that no one hurts themselves just like this situation," Detroit Police Capt. Michael Dicicco said.

Detroit police are seeking a warrant to search the home. Its unknown at this time if potential charges are being sought.

"So until we get a chance to go through the entire house, we don't know how many guns are in there," Dicicco said.

Gun owners are required by Michigan law to keep their weapons secured and away from children.

According to the nonprofit Everytown for Gun Safety Support Fund, in the United States last year alone, there were 361 unintentional shootings by children 24 of those cases came from Michigan, with seven from the city of Detroit.

Detroit police say this is the first incident of a child finding a firearm and shooting either themselves or others this year. They hope it is also the last.

Free gun locks are offered at every precinct in the city.

For the first time in three years, camping rates at some of Michigan's most popular sites are going up.

The increase will be between $4 and $10 a night at modern and semi-modern state park campsites depending on the location and amenities. Fees for rustic state parks and forest campgrounds will not increase.

Fees for intermittent camping and equipment storage will also change, the Department of Nature Resources said.

The DNR says the price hike reflects an increase demand for campers and will help with long-term sustainability. The DNR said the increased revenue will enhance visitor experience, upgrade amenities and help parks stay clean.

The new rates for overnight stays will start Aug. 1. The Michigan State Park Advisory Committee supported the fee adjustment on Aug. 7, 2024, the DNR said.

More information about the rate changes can be found on the DNRs website.

The Oakland County Human Trafficking Task Force has made its first arrest, Sheriff Michael Bouchard announced during a press conference on Thursday.

Watch the full press conference below Suspect arrested in Oakland County by newly-formed human trafficking task force

Bouchard said that the task force is a first-of-its-kind in the county and they have partnered with the Madison Heights Police Department for the arrest.

Police arrested 61-year-old Damon Napier for alleged human trafficking involving two different cases one out of Southfield and another out of Warren.

They believe that there may be more victims, and they are encouraging anyone who may have been a victim to come forward.

Oakland County Chief Assistant Prosecutor David Williams said Napier is charged with 10 counts between the two cases.

The charges include:

Two counts of human trafficking enterprise resulting in injury Two counts of transporting a person for the purposes of prostitution Two counts of accepting earnings of a prostitute One count of pandering Three counts of third-degree criminal sexual conduct

A man was arrested after firing gunshots in front of the Patrick V. McNamara Federal Building in downtown Detroit on Tuesday.

The incident happened around 2:40 p.m. at the federal building on Michigan Avenue near Cass Avenue.

According to Detroit police, the man pulled up to the building and started firing shots. He was detained by Federal Protective Service and taken into Detroit police custody.

One weapon was recovered, Detroit police said.

Detectives said no injuries or damage was reported. Its unclear what led up to the shooting.

Police continuing to investigate.

A Detroit man has been charged after allegedly shooting and killing his girlfriend last week.

The Wayne County Prosecutor's office has charged Jazzie Love, 34, with shooting and killing Uniqua Sanders, 32.

Police got the call about an shooting at a liquor store in the 10700 block of West Eight Mile Road on Thursday, Jan. 16, around 7:00 p.m. When first responders got there, they found Sanders shot in a car outside the liquor store. Medics pronounced her dead at the scene.

Investigators say that this shooting stems from an argument between Love and Sanders in the car. They say that allegedly Love got out of the passenger's side of the vehicle, walked to the driver's side and shot Sanders in the head.

Love has been charged with First-Degree Murder, Carrying a Concealed Weapon and Felony Firearms. He's being held in jail and has another court appearance later this month.

Dearborn Heights police and the family of a missing teenager are asking for help with finding her after she hasn't been seen in weeks.

Destiny Podsiad, 14, was last seen on Jan. 2 in the area of Annapolis and Monroe streets. Police say she left home after an argument.

Podsiad is described as 5-foot-5 and about 150 pounds with red hair.

Anyone with information on her whereabouts is asked to call the Dearborn Heights Police Department at 313-277-6770.

Dozens of schools in metro Detroit are closed tomorrow, with temperatures projected to be lower than 0 degrees in some areas.

CHECK THE LIST OF FULL CLOSURES HERE Related Video: Watch the full forecast in the video player below Metro Detroit Weather: Temps drop to dangerous levels and keep falling tomorrow

As of 3 p.m. Monday afternoon, more than 60 schools are closed for tomorrow, including Detroit Public Schools Community District, Oak Park Schools, Monroe Public Schools, Bloomfield Hills School District, and more.

Related Video: "Pins and needles." Here are the signs that frostbite is starting to set in: 'Pins and needles.' Signs that frostbite is starting to set in

We will update this article as more closings roll in. You can also find closings during our newscasts or on our school closings page.