Gary, Lake County-A three vehicle crash, early this morning, on I-80/94 eastbound at the 5.2 (near Cline Ave.) sent three people to the hospital, and caused two of the vehicles to catch fire.
Preliminary investigation by Trooper Carson House revealed at approximately 2:55 a.m., this Saturday, March 12, 2016, morning a blue 2007 Dodge, driven by Darnell L. Russell Jr., 34 of Gary, for unknown reasons went off the roadway to the left (south) and struck the rear of a Ford Explorer. The 2004 Explorer had earlier stopped on the inner shoulder after being disabled with a flat tire. The driver had been picked up by an acquaintance to go get another tire. Charles J. Cannon, 21 of Gary was left behind sitting in the Explorer’s front passenger seat when it was hit. The Explorer did have its emergency lights on at the time.
After hitting, both the Explorer and Dodge came to rest in the far right lane of eastbound I-80/94.
A gray 2002 Dodge Durango, driven by Tyishea D. Captain, 25 of Gary, was driving in the left lane when it struck the Explorer with its front driver’s side. Captain’s Dodge then crossed all lanes and hit the outer concrete barrier wall on the south side with its front passenger side.
The Explorer and Russell’s Dodge both caught fire and became fully engulfed.
Good Samaritans stopped to help Russell get out of his Dodge. Cannon was able to exit the Explorer on his own.
Captain due to the damage on her vehicle and a neck injury, required Trooper House to break a rear passenger window to get access to open the doors to allow medics’ access to Captain.
Cannon, Russell and Captain were all taken to North Lake Methodist Hospital in Gary with non-life threatening injuries.
Alcohol nor drugs are believed to be a factor in this crash. Everyone was wearing their seat belts. All lanes east bound were reopened at 4:46 a.m.
Assisting: Master Trooper Lawrence McFarrin, Trooper Brandon Alberts, Lake County Sheriff Department, Gary Fire and EMS, and Bert’s Towing
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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