Gary, Lake County-A roll over semi closed three lanes of east bound traffic on I-80/94, this morning, affecting the morning rush hour.
Preliminary investigation by Trooper Nick Daly revealed at approximately 5:03 a.m., this Thursday, January 08, 2015, morning a 2001 Dodge Caravan, driven by Jerry Sumner, 47 of Griffith, was east bound on I-80/94 at the 6.9 mile marker (this is approximately one mile east of Burr Street) in the right lane when he attempted to change lanes. Sumner attempted to merge over two lanes to the left middle lane and cut off a 2014 Freightliner pulling two box trailers. The Freightliner, owned by Conway Freight out of Richmond, Indiana, was pulling two trailers loaded with 43,000 pounds of miscellaneous freight. It was being driven by Michael King, 62 of Kalamazoo, Michigan.
The Freightliner attempted to swerve around the Caravan as it came into his lane, the Caravan hit the semi on the rear passenger side of the tractor, and this caused the Freightliner to jackknife, striking the barrier wall on outer shoulder. The semi and two trailers then rolled onto the driver’s side and came to rest blocking the right and left middle lanes of east bound traffic.
There was no load loss. Both drivers were not injured.
Sumner was cited for Unsafe Lane Movement.
Three right lanes were closed until approximately 7:30 a.m., for investigation of the crash, towing and up-righting of the vehicles.
All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
