Michigan Police Officer's Routine Traffic Stop Saves Woman's Life

Christina Latoski's encounter with Officer Dillon Platte led to her getting the help she needed to overcome addiction.

Feb. 9, 2026 at 2:31pm

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A routine traffic stop by a Michigan police officer turned into a life-saving moment for a woman struggling with a 25-year addiction to methamphetamine and alcohol. Officer Dillon Platte pulled over Christina Latoski for a broken taillight, discovered she had a warrant, and found what appeared to be meth in her car. Latoski told Platte she was done and ready to go to jail, and the encounter led to her spending three months in jail followed by three months in rehab. A year later, Latoski wrote Platte a letter thanking him for unknowingly saving her life, as she had planned to wrap her car around a tree that night.

Why it matters

This story highlights the potential for routine police interactions to have a profound impact on people's lives, especially those struggling with addiction. It demonstrates how a simple traffic stop can lead to life-changing interventions and the opportunity for someone to get the help they need to overcome substance abuse issues.

The details

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. When Platte asked to search Latoski's vehicle, he discovered what appeared to be methamphetamine. Latoski was handcuffed and read her rights, and she told Platte she was done and ready to go to jail. Latoski spent three months in jail followed by three months in rehab for her 25-year addiction to methamphetamine and alcohol.

  • On August 4, 2024, Officer Platte pulled over Christina Latoski for broken taillights.
  • Latoski spent three months in jail followed by three months in rehab.

The players

Officer Dillon Platte

A Michigan police officer who had been on the Lansing police force for less than two months at the time of the incident.

Christina Latoski

A woman who was struggling with a 25-year addiction to methamphetamine and alcohol.

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What they’re saying

“Christina, I need you to come over here. I have to detain you because you have a warrant out of Jackson.”

— Officer Dillon Platte

“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.'”

— Christina Latoski

“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. 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.”

— Christina Latoski

“You look great.”

— Officer Dillon Platte

“You unknowingly did something for me that night that I didn't even know I needed. I want you to know you are appreciated.”

— Christina Latoski

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Christina Latoski out on bail.

The takeaway

This story demonstrates how a routine police interaction can have a profound impact on someone's life, especially for those struggling with addiction. It highlights the potential for officers to make a difference by connecting people in crisis with the help and resources they need to overcome substance abuse issues and turn their lives around.