Gary, Lake County-A three vehicle crash caused a semi with a dump trailer to roll over and lose contaminated soil across two lanes of east bound I-80/94 at Colfax.
Preliminary investigation by Master Trooper Brian White revealed at approximately 7:47 a.m., this Friday morning, a 2001 Pontiac, driven by P.K. Hemmon (female), 50 of Hammond, Indiana was east bound in the right middle lane near Colfax when she changed lanes to go into the left middle lane. She cut in front of a 2006 Mack semi pulling a dump trailer owned by Disposal & Recycling out of Cicero, Illinois, and driven by Justo Capetes, 41 of Chicago, IL, that was loaded with contaminated soil/wood chips. Traffic was slowing down as Hemmon moved into the left middle lane which caused the semi to brake and hit the rear of the Pontiac. The semi then swerved to the left and hit the right rear quarter panel of a 2006 Dodge Dakota pickup owned by NIPSCO, and driven by Paul Spasske, 50 of Highland, IN.
The semi after hitting the pickup swerved back to the right and it began to roll over onto its driver’s side causing its contents (contaminated soil/wood chips) to be strewn across the two right lanes. The semi and dump trailer ended up in the south ditch.
Hemmon and the Capetes were taken to North Lake Hospital in Gary with non-life threatening injuries. Spasske was not injured. All drivers were wearing their seatbelts.
The right two lanes were closed for cleanup and removal of the Pontiac and semi/dump. The pickup did not need to be towed. All lanes have been reopened.
Assisting: Sergeant Lee Wright, Gary EMS, and Berts Towing
Picture is of the scene
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All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
