Lake County- This morning at 7:40 a.m., troopers responded to an injury involved crash on Interstate 80 westbound, west of Burr Street. Preliminary investigation by Trooper Regen Smith indicates a blue 1999 GMC Yukon was traveling on the right shoulder while passing other vehicles. At the same time, a disabled 2016 Freightliner tractor pulling a loaded trailer, was parked on the right shoulder due to a mechanical failure. The semi was unable to move and had emergency warning triangles properly deployed behind the trailer.
For reasons still under investigation, the Yukon struck the rear of the parked trailer at a high rate of speed, trapping the driver inside the vehicle. The Gary Fire Department responded and extricated the driver after an extended rescue effort. The driver sustained life-threatening injuries and was transported by UCAN medical helicopter to the University of Chicago Hospital for treatment.
Interstate 80 westbound was closed for just over one hour to allow for the helicopter landing and crash investigation. This crash serves as an important reminder that the shoulder is intended for EMERGENCY use only. Disabled vehicles are often stopped on the shoulder and using it as a travel lane significantly increases the risk of serious crashes. This crash remains under investigation.