Gary- This morning (3/8/2023), at approximately 1:30 a.m., troopers were dispatched to a crash with occupant entrapment on I-80/94 eastbound lanes at the 7.5 mile-marker. This was approximately 1.5 miles east of Burr St.
Preliminary investigation by Trooper Isajczuk shows that a silver 2016 Nissan Altima was stopped in the right lane. A 2014 Volvo semi pulling a loaded trailer was traveling in the right lane. The trailer was loaded with U.S. mail. The truck rear-ended the Nissan causing catastrophic damage.
The Nissan was occupied by two adults and three children. None of the three children were properly restrained in child safety seats. The driver of the Nissan, Ta’Quana L. Crawford, 27, from Milwaukee, WI, was transported for treatment of life-threatening injuries. All the occupants of the vehicle sustained serious, life-threatening injuries and were treated locally or flown out for specialized treatment. One of the children, a six-year-old girl, died while being transported for treatment. The driver of the semi, Orlando Shaw, 49, from Wheeling, IL, was not injured.
This crash investigation is in its early stages. Additional information may be released at a later date. Assisting at the scene were the following: Indiana State Police Crash Reconstruction, Indiana State Police Criminal Investigations Division, Indiana State Police Commercial Motor Vehicle Division, Gary Police, Gary Fire/EMS, and Double T Towing.