Michigan police officer’s routine traffic stop saves woman’s life
What started as a familiar encounter over broken taillights led to an arrest that sparked recovery from a 25-year addiction
LANSING, Mich. (InvestigateTV) — A routine traffic stop by a Michigan police officer turned into a life-saving moment for a woman struggling with addiction.
Officer Dillon Platte, who had been on the Lansing police force for less than two months, pulled over Christina Latoski on Aug. 4, 2024, for broken taillights on her 1996 red Chevy Camaro.
It was the fifth time Platte had stopped Latoski for the same vehicle issues during his nearly three years with the Eaton Rapids Police Department.
“It was an easy traffic stop every time,” Platte said.
But this stop proved different. Platte’s patrol car computer showed Latoski had a warrant for failing to appear in court.
“Christina, I need you to come over here. I have to detain you because you have a warrant out of Jackson,” Platte told her during the stop, which was captured on dashcam video.
Search leads to drug discovery
When Platte asked to search Latoski’s vehicle, he discovered what appeared to be methamphetamine. Latoski was handcuffed and was read her rights.
“I remember standing in front of his patrol car that night. I just looked at him and I said, ‘Platte, I’m done, I can’t do it no more. Please, just put me in the car and just take me to jail. I’m done,’” Latoski said.
Latoski spent three months in jail followed by three months in rehab for what she calls a 25-year addiction to methamphetamine and alcohol.
What a letter revealed
One year later, Latoski wrote a four-page letter to Platte expressing her gratitude. The letter revealed something the officer didn’t know about that night.
“I actually had planned on wrapping my car around a tree,” Latoski said.
“To the officer who saved my life, you probably don’t remember me. Just another traffic stop on just another night. But I remember that night, you changed everything,” Latoski wrote in the letter.
She continued: “If it weren’t for you making that traffic stop, I have no doubt in my mind my children would be motherless because I’d be dead.”
Reunion at traffic stop location
Platte and Latoski reunited at the exact spot of the traffic stop on Kinneville Road and Hamman Drive.
“You look great,” Platte told Latoski during their reunion.
“You unknowingly did something for me that night that I didn’t even know I needed,” Latoski responded. “I want you to know you are appreciated.”
Platte said the letter was exactly what any officer would want to read.
“Being able to have an impact on someone’s life like this is something I think everyone would want to do,” he said.
Latoski said Platte will always be a big part of her recovery as she continues to work on her sobriety every day.
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