Lake County-Today at approximately 3:34 a.m. (CST) on I-80 westbound near the 1.4 mile marker (that is east of Calumet Ave), seven vehicles ended up colliding causing the right two lanes and the Calumet ramp to be closed.
Preliminary investigation by Trooper Carson W. House of the Lowell State Police Post has revealed that a 1999 Pontiac Grand Prix was left abandoned in the right lane when 2005 Toyota Pathfinder driven by Patricia Harris tried to avoid the Pontiac but struck it causing it to face north in the WB lane. A 2002 Ford Explorer driven by William Leary was behind the Toyota and was unable to avoid the Pontiac and slammed into the Pontiac sending it into the middle right lane. A 2014 Kenworth driven by Paul Griffin was in the middle right lane and struck the Pontiac in the driver’s door spreading debris across the right two lanes of I-80.
A 2013 Freightliner driven by Michael England was in the right lane and struck a large piece of debris from the Pontiac causing front end damage to his vehicle. A 2012 Volvo driven by Daniel Smith and a 2015 Freightliner driven by James Ganns were in the middle and right lanes respectively when the driver of the Volvo attempted to avoid striking the Pontiac ran into the side of the Freightliner.
Miraculously, no one was injured in the crash. Seatbelts were in use in all vehicles which according to Trooper House probably saved the occupants of all the vehicles from any serious injuries. The Pontiac was unoccupied at the time. It was a total loss. All the semis received damage but were able to drive away from the scene. The Toyota, Ford and the Pontiac were towed from the scene. It is believed the Pontiac was possibly stolen but that remains under investigation. The two right lanes were closed for approximately 1.5 hours for investigation and cleanup of the vehicles. The ramp was closed for another hour for further investigation.
Assisting at the scene were Trooper Erik J. Kocinski, Hammond Police and Fire Department and Wafco Towing.
Sorry, I have no pictures and this is all the information I have available.
-30-
RILEY
