Hammond- This afternoon (4/5/2024) at approximately 1:25 p.m., troopers were dispatched to a multi-vehicle crash on I-80/94 eastbound at the Columbia Ave. overpass between Calumet Avenue and Indianapolis Blvd. Preliminary investigation shows that a semi was traveling in the 2nd lane from the left and was slowing in traffic. A Kia Sorento SUV that was either slowing or stopped behind that semi, was rear-ended by another semi at a high rate of speed. This initial impact pushed the Kia underneath the trailer of the front semi. A third semi was also rear-ended as a result of the crash.
A passenger in the Kia sustained fatal injuries at the scene. The driver of the Kia and a child that was a passenger in the Kia were transported for treatment of potentially life-threatening injuries. Identification of the deceased will be released by the Lake County Coroner’s Office after notification to family has been made.