Gary, Lake County-A three semi crash in the early morning hours of Friday, January 09, 2015, took the life of one of the drivers.
Preliminary investigation by Trooper Erik Kocinski revealed at approximately 3:45 a.m., this Friday morning, a 2010 Kenworth tractor bobtail (no trailer), driven by Ismael Flores, 32 of Chicago, Illinois, was eastbound on I-80/94 at the 11.8 mile marker (this is just west of the I-65 northbound exit) in the middle left lane (4 lanes of traffic). The tractor, owned by EIC Transport Incorporated out of Chicago, Illinois, lost control, started to spin out, went into the left lane where it was hit by a 2014 Volvo semi pulling double trailers. The 2014 Volvo, is owned by UPS Freight, and driven by James Bauer, 58 of Pinconning, Michigan. The trailers were loaded with 23,000 pounds of general freight. There was no load loss and Bauer was not injured.
The Kenworth after being hit in the driver’s side rear went across all lanes of eastbound traffic where it struck the concrete barrier wall on the outer shoulder. A 2006 International pulling double trailers, owned by UPS Package out of Elkhart, Indiana, driven by Marvin Reinholtz, 38 of Osceola, Indiana, was on the outer shoulder disabled with its emergency triangles out. The Kenworth after hitting the barrier wall continued east up the wall and slid between the wall and the rear trailer clipping it in the rear. It then hit the rear of the first trailer and the International tractor on the passenger side coming to rest up against the barrier wall the UPS tractor.
Reinholtz was found outside partially pinned under the front right tire of his own tractor and the rear left tire of Flores Kenworth. Reinholtz was pronounced dead at the scene by a deputy with the Lake County Coroner’s Office. FAMILY HAS BEEN NOTIFIED.
Flores was not injured and was cited for Unsafe Lane Movement at this time.
The right and right middle lane are closed at this time for reconstruction of the crash, removal of the deceased, towing of the vehicles, and clean-up of the road.
Assisting: Indiana State Police Senior Trooper Lawrence McFarrin reconstructionist, ISP Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division Master Trooper Taylor Bryant, Indiana Department of transportation Hoosier Helpers, Lake Station Fire and EMS, Prompt Ambulance and Midnight Blue Towing
All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Pictures are of the crash scene
