Friday morning (9/17/2021) at approximately 1:00 a.m., Indiana State Police responded to a crash involving a semi-tractor trailer and a passenger car on the ramp from I-65 northbound to I-80/94 westbound.
Preliminary investigation by Trooper Kevin Council shows that a 2019 Freightliner semi-tractor trailer was parked on the right shoulder of the ramp. For unknown reasons, a blue 2001 Pontiac Grand Am left the roadway and struck the rear of the tractor trailer.
The driver of the Pontiac Grand Am was found entrapped in the vehicle. The driver had to be extricated from the vehicle by the Gary Fire Department. The driver, Stephanie K. Sanders, 25, from Griffith, IN, was transported by Gary EMS to Northlake Hospital before being flown to the University of Chicago for treatment of serious life-threatening injuries. Evidence at the crash scene led troopers to suspect that alcohol/drugs may have been a factor in this crash.
The right lane of the ramp was closed for approximately 3 hours during the crash investigation. Assisting at the scene was Gary Fire/EMS and WAFFCO Towing.
All persons named in this release are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in court. All charges mentioned are merely accusations, actual charges will be determined by the Lake County Prosecutor's Office.
*Photo courtesy of WAFFCO Towing
