Hammond, IN- On Sunday, February 22, 2026, at approximately 9:55 p.m., Indiana State Police Sgt. Fifield was conducting a traffic stop on Interstate 80 near Indianapolis Boulevard in Hammond. Sgt. Fifield had stopped a Kia for a traffic violation and was positioned on the right shoulder/emergency lane of eastbound I-80 with emergency lights activated. As he exited his marked patrol car, he observed a vehicle traveling toward him in the emergency lane. The vehicle failed to merge into the travel portion of the highway and continued on the shoulder.
Recognizing the imminent danger, Sgt. Fifield quickly jumped over the adjacent concrete barrier wall moments before the oncoming vehicle, a 2020 Ford Fusion, struck the rear of his patrol car. The Ford came to a stop in the right lane of travel. The police car was pushed into the Kia that he had pulled over. Additional troopers responded to the scene to assist. Preliminary investigation indicates the driver of the Ford Fusion may have been experiencing a medical emergency at the time of the crash.
Sgt. Fifield was not injured. The driver of the Ford was transported for treatment. Both vehicles sustained extensive damage and were towed from the scene.
Lt. Terrance Weems, Commander of the State Police Lowell Post, stated, “This incident underscores the dangers our troopers face every day while performing routine traffic stops on our highways. We continue to remind motorists to remain alert, slow down, and move over when approaching emergency vehicles stopped along the roadway. The number of preventable crashes that have resulted in our troopers being struck on the roadway is unacceptable.”
This crash remains under investigation.
