Lowell-An early morning crash, this morning, just after 6:00 A.M., involving two semis and a passenger vehicle resulted in the death of one of the drivers.
Preliminary investigation by Master Trooper Dan Avitia revealed that a white 2010 Freightliner pulling a box trailer, owned by Quemetco Incorporated out of Indianapolis, Indiana, and driven by Richard W. Konrad, 59 of Indianapolis, was north bound on I-65 in the right lane just south of the Lowell exit when the semi stopped because of construction up ahead.
A second semi a 2007 Volvo pulling a box trailer, owned by Mystic Wolf Express out of Thornton, Colorado, and driven by Paul J Gottsacker, 51 of Lavelle, Wisconsin, was also north in the right lane and failed to slow down/stop. The Volvo hit and ran over the top of a 2007 Dodge Ram pick-up who was behind Konrad’s semi and then hit the trailer of Konrad’s semi.
Konrad’s semi was loaded with approximately 44,000 of lead ingots; after the impact a small number of these were lost on the roadway. Gottsacker’s semi was partially loaded with meat. No load was loss.
The driver of the Ram pick-up has been identified as Jim A. Uildriks, 52 of Monon, Indiana. Uildriks was pronounced dead at the scene by the Lake County Coroner of massive blunt force trauma. His family HAS been notified.
All traffic northbound was diverted off at State Road 10 (Demotte/Roselawn) exit for removal of the deceased, vehicles, reconstruction of the crash and clean up of the roadway. The left lane was re-opened at approximately 9:45 A.M.
Both Konrad and Gottsacker were taken to Saint Anthony’s Hospital in Crown Point for complaint of pain.
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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