Hammond, Lake County-Another Indiana State Police trooper was injured, early this morning, by a hit and run driver who was apprehended shortly thereafter. This is the second trooper in four days to be injured by an impaired driver.
Preliminary investigation by Trooper Jacob Raupp revealed that at approximately 1:26 a.m., Sergeant Dwayne Dillahunty was working a traffic enforcement project for the I-90/94 Challenge (this is a 15 state, 5,681 miles, four days August 1-4, enhanced traffic blitz along the I-90/94 corridor) on I80/94 east bound at 1.9 mile marker (this is under the Calumet Avenue overpass). Dillahunty’s fully marked 2013 Dodge Charger was parked on the inner shoulder and he was standing outside his police car operating a hand held lidar speed timing device when a black 2013 Jeep Sport Utility Vehicle that was east bound in the left lane went off the road and struck the police car. This caused the police car to strike Sergeant Dillahunty knocking him into the concrete median barrier wall.
The Jeep’s driver, later identified as Norris Benbow, 43 of Chicago, Illinois, fled on foot south, when his Jeep became disabled in the left lane after striking the police car. Dillahunty was able to radio a description of Benbow and Munster Police apprehended Benbow shortly thereafter just south of the interstate.
Dillahunty was taken to Munster Community Hospital where he is being treated for non-life threatening injuries.
Benbow was taken to Munster Community and tested positive for alcohol; .14% B.A.C. He was taken to Lake County Jail in Crown Point and was charged with Driving While Intoxicated causing bodily injury, Leaving the Scene of a personal injury crash, and Driving While Suspended.
The left two lanes were closed until approximately 4:55 a.m., for reconstruction of the crash, removal of the injured, towing of the vehicles, and clean-up of the roadway.
Agencies assisting: Troopers John Holmen, Corey Dupuy, reconstructionist Senior Trooper Lawrence McFarrin, Munster Police Department, Hammond Police Department, Hammond Fire and EMS, Illinois State Police and Illinois Department of Transportation Minutemen
Motorists please help us support the I90/94 Challenge by slowing down, wearing your seat belt, driving sober and paying attention!!
All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
