Lake County- This Saturday morning (4/9/2022) at 7:00 a.m., Trooper Regen Smith was dispatched to the area of I-65 northbound lanes near the 260.4 mile-marker. This is approximately one mile north of I-80. Trooper Smith was assigned to investigate a crash that resulted in a vehicle blocking the far-left lane. Trooper Smith had her emergency lights activated and positioned her vehicle behind the crashed vehicle in the left lane to protect both the person in the crashed vehicle as well as to warn approaching motorists that the lane was blocked. The roadway was also icy from overnight rain/snow.
Preliminary investigation by Trooper Brandon Lankford shows that a black, 2006, Lincoln truck was approaching the scene at a high rate of speed. As it did so, the driver quickly braked and lost control of his vehicle. The truck narrowly avoided the tow truck that was just arriving at the scene and instead struck the rear of Trooper Smith’s police car. Trooper Smith was seated in the vehicle at the time of the collision. She was transported to Northlake Hospital with complaint of pain, but non-life-threatening injuries. The driver of the Lincoln, Rafael Montez, 34, from Hobart, IN, refused medical treatment at the scene. He will be cited for the following infractions:
- Speed too fast for weather/road conditions
- Failure to yield to a stationary emergency vehicle
- Expired vehicle registration
Assisting at the scene were WAFFCO Towing and Caruther’s Towing.
*All persons named are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.
