Merrillville, Lake County
The Indiana State Police investigated a semi rollover crash on October 12, 2015 at 09:14 A.M. that required an air rescue for the driver involved.
Preliminary investigation by Senior Trooper Timothy Grayson revealed that on October 12th at 9:14 A.M. a 2000 Red Kenworth being driven by Charles Hayden (36) of Atkins, Virginia was driving north on Interstate 65 near the 252 mile marker, which is just south of US Highway 30. For unknown reasons, the semi swerved to the left and then drove off the roadway and onto the right shoulder. After doing so the semi overturned, losing its load, and came to a rest upside down. The driver was pinned in the vehicle requiring extraction. Northbound lanes of Interstate 65 were closed for nearly an hour due to police and emergency vehicle traffic. The injuries to the driver of the semi required that he be airlifted to University of Chicago Hospital. All lanes of Interstate 65 were closed briefly for the landing of the helicopter. All lanes were reopened at 11:02 A.M.
Senior Trooper Timothy Grayson stated that on behalf of the Indiana State Police, he is extremely grateful to Rick Knoflicek and Scott Beishuizen for their heroic efforts in assisting with the recovery of the injured driver. These individuals were among the first to arrive on scene and they went above and beyond the call of duty to assist Trooper Grayson until paramedics arrived.
Although all lanes are now currently open, motorists traveling in the area should expect further delays as cleanup of the crash scene continues.
Assisting: First Sergeant Terrance Weems, Master Troopers Lionel Douglas, Dwayne Halliburton, and Mike Hemphill, Midnight Blue Towing, Crown Point Fire and EMS, and Hoosier Helpers.
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Trooper Eric Rot 8635
All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
