Lake County- A two vehicle semi-rollover snarled traffic this morning for 3 hours in Gary along I-80 east bound at the 4.6 mile marker. The 4.6 mile marker is just west of the Cline Ave. overpass.
Preliminary investigation by Trooper Justin Heflin revealed that at approximately 4:45 a.m., Friday February 19, 2016, a black 1996 Toyota Camry driven by Robert Achterberch, 58 of Lynwood, IL, made an unsafe lane change from far left lane to the left middle lane into the path of a purple 2016 Freightliner. The driver of the Freightliner was Delores Murray, 57 of Port Byron, NY. The Freightliner was loaded with 40,000 lbs of produce and owned by Jersey Cartage located in Bellmawr, New Jersey. After initial impact with the passenger car, the semi went across the lanes to the right lanes and then back to the left middle lanes which caused the trailer to overturn. This resulted in the tractor- trailer blocking the ramp lane to Cline as well as the right three lanes of I-80. Only the far left lane was open for traffic to pass. The 3 lanes of I-80 were closed for approximately 3 hours for investigation/cleanup.
Achterberch was cited for speed and unsafe lane movement while Murray was cited for speed.
Assisting with the cleanup was WAFFCO Towing. As of 7:50 a.m. all lanes of I-80 are open.
Tpr. Heflin stated that due to both drivers properly wearing their seatbelts no injuries were sustained by either driver. Tpr. Heflin encourages the use of seatbelts as this is another example of a bad crash that could have had much different results had seatbelts not been in use.
Attached are photos of the semi.
All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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Master Trooper Glen Fifield
