Lake County-A four vehicle crash, late yesterday, November 8th, 2014, evening, sent three people to local hospitals with serious injuries.
Preliminary investigation by Trooper Nicholas Daly revealed that at approximately 11:04 p.m., Saturday, November 8th, 2014, evening, a 1999 Cadillac Escalade, driven by Armando Gomez, 33 of Portage, was north bound on I-65 in the left lane when it hit a 1997 Nissan Maxima in the rear at a high rate of speed. The Maxima, driven by Franklin Jackson, 31 of Merrillville, spun off the roadway into the ditch located on the east side (outer shoulder) of the interstate. The Escalade also spun out coming to rest facing southbound in the northbound left lane of I-65. Jackson’s vehicle had to be towed and he was not injured.
A 2001 Cadillac, driven by Kennia Green, 36 of South Holland, Illinois, then hit the Escalade almost head on. This caused the Escalade to go into the concrete median barrier wall and the Cadillac to come to rest in the center left lane (of a four lane interstate). Green’s vehicle had to be towed and she was taken to Saint Mary’s Hospital in Hobart with a leg injury.
A 2005 Pontiac Grand Prix, driven by Adam Barbee, 27 of Lansing, Illinois, attempted to avoid the crash but sideswiped the 2001 Cadillac in the center left lane. The Grand Prix sustained minimal damage and did not have to be towed. Barbee was also not injured.
Gomez was taken to North Lake Methodist Hospital in Gary with head injury/lacerations where he was admitted. His passenger, Entesar A. Sobuh, 34 of Portage, sustained serious (non-life threatening) head injuries and was also taken to North Lake Methodist.
Gomez tested .09% B.A.C for alcohol and is charged with OWI Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury additional charges may be pending.
Agencies assisting: Indiana State Police Troopers Corey Dupuy and Paul Arnold, Merrillville Fire and EMS, Prompt Ambulance, Waffco and Ambassador Towing
The left two lanes were blocked until 12:45 a.m., for investigation of the crash, removal of the vehicles and injured.
All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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Picture is of the 1999 Escalade
