Lake County – This morning at approximately 12:21 a.m., Indiana State Police officers responded to a two vehicle crash on I-80 near the 1.7 mile marker, in which four people were injured.
The preliminary crash investigation by Trooper Gary Runde revealed that Jocelyn Conwell, 34, Gary, IN, was driving a 2001 Ford Taurus eastbound on I-80 near the 1.7 mile marker. Conwell slowed down for traffic that was stopping in front of her. The Ford was rear-ended by a 1998 GMC Jimmy driven by Frank Itczak Jr, 32, Gary, IN. The damage to the Ford was so severe that Jacob Jafilan, 2, and Jase Statem, 9, both from Gary, IN, became trapped in the backseat. The boys had to be extricated from the vehicle by firefighters from the Gary Fire Department.
Conwell was transported by ambulance to a local hospital with a possible collapsed lung. Jafilan was transported by ambulance to a local hospital with a severe head injury. He was later flown by helicopter to a Chicago area hospital. Statem was transported by ambulance to a local hospital with a deep cut to his head. Namiko Conwell, 9 months, Gary, IN, another passenger in the Ford, was transported to a local hospital with unspecified injuries. Itczak was not injured.
As officers were conducting the crash investigation, Itczak ran from the crash scene. He was quickly captured by troopers. Further investigation revealed that Itczak’s blood alcohol concentration was allegedly over the .08 limit in which a driver is considered intoxicated in Indiana. He was incarcerated in the Lake County Jail to face a felony count for operating a vehicle while intoxicated causing serious bodily injury.
All participants in the crash were properly restrained with seat belts or a child safety seat.
This crash is still under investigation.
Two photos from the crash are attached.
All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law
