JASPER COUNTY — Two crashes on Interstate 65 left two injured and caused major traffic backups Monday in Jasper County.
A little before 1:30 a.m., a semi-tanker traveling southbound near the 221-mile marker had driven off the roadway into the median and rolled, according to the Indiana State Police. The driver reportedly refused medical treatment at the scene.
The tanker was filled with liquid sugar that needed to be offloaded prior to the truck being towed, police said. This led to the left lane of the road being closed for emergency crews to work.
Ride Shotgun with Lake County sheriff’s Sgt. Bryan Kersey as he checks to ensure convicted Northwest Indiana sex offenders are complying with state sex-offender registry laws. This special episode of “Riding Shotgun with NWI Cops” was filmed recently in conjunction with a Midwest reporting project titled, “Out of the Shadows: Spotlight on Sex Crimes.” The special report will span multiple newspapers throughout Lee Enterprises’ Midwest news agencies and will be taking a deep look at sex crimes, the offenders, their victims and the effectiveness of state laws and justice systems in dealing with the issue. “Riding Shotgun with NWI Cops” is an ongoing video series produced by The Times of Northwest Indiana. Video filmed by Kale Wilk and produced by Scotia White.
In the resulting traffic backup, at around 5:45 a.m., the driver of a 2022 Ford F750 truck rear-ended a 2020 Subaru, police said. The Subaru was reportedly stopped in the right lane behind a 2019 Toyota Tundra, which was in turn behind a 2018 Peterbilt tractor-trailer. The Ford struck the Subaru with such force that it also struck the Toyota and the Peterbilt, causing what police described as "catastrophic damage" to both the Subaru and the Toyota.
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The driver of the Subaru had to be rescued from the vehicle and was transported to IU Health in Lafayette with "serious injuries," police said.
In the Toyota, a 4-year-old boy was taken to Franciscan Health in Crown Point with life-threatening injuries, police said. His parents were also taken to Franciscan Health for treatment. The child was later transported to Comer Children’s Hospital in Chicago for further treatment.
The driver of the box truck, a 22-year-old man from Shorewood, Illinois, wasn't injured, according to police. The driver of the Peterbilt was also not injured.
Gallery: The Times Photos of the Week
Surf's Up
It certainly isn't California or Hawaii, but the waves in Indiana were pretty decent Tuesday for Billy Burdett of Lakeside, Mich. Burdett, who likes to surf in and around Lake Michigan, chose the beach at the Portage Lakefront and Riverwalk Trail to test his skills.
St Pat's parade in Michigan City
Mayor Duane Parry interacts with the crowd during the St. Patrick's Day parade Saturday in Michigan City.
St Pat's parade in Michigan City
Jacob Lindsey, 7, receives a piece of candy Saturday during Michigan City's annual St. Patrick's Day parade on Franklin Street downtown.
St Pat's parade in Michigan City
The Irish spirit was alive during Saturday's well-attended St. Patrick's Day parade in downtown Michigan City.
Indiana Science Olympiad 2023
Caroline Dyer (left) and Mia Green of Thomas Jefferson Middle School in Valparaiso work on reading maps and topography Saturday at the Indiana Science Olympiad state tournament at Purdue University Northwest in Hammond.
Indiana Science Olympiad 2023
Lake Central High School students Connor Siurek (left) and Matusz Wlodnarczyk test the strength of their wooden bridge Saturday at the Indiana Science Olympiad state tournament at Purdue University Northwest in Hammond.
Indiana Science Olympiad 2023
LaPorte High School students Carter Moses (left) and Tyler Troy collaborate on chemistry Saturday at the Indiana Science Olympiad state tournament at Purdue University Northwest in Hammond.
Boys Class 4A Regional - Chesterton vs Penn
Chesterton's Tyler Parrish hits a layup in the fourth quarter.
Boys Class 4A Regional - Chesterton vs Penn
Chesterton's Nick Furmanek gets sandwiched by Penn's Markus Burton, left, and Joshua Gatete.
Boys Class 4A Regional - Chesterton vs Penn
Chesterton's Justin Sims and Penn's Dominic Bonner battle for position under the basket.
Boys Class 4A Regional - Chesterton vs Penn
Chesterton coach Marc Urban talks to his team late in the fourth quarter.
Boys Class 4A Regional - Chesterton vs Penn
Chesterton coach Marc Urban has words for the referee following a call.
Boys Class 4A Regional - Chesterton vs Penn
Chesterton's Tyler Parrish reacts after it is evident that the Trojans will lose to the Kingsmen.
Boys Class 4A Regional - Chesterton vs Penn
Chesterton's cheerleaders console each other following the Trojans' loss to the Penn Kingsmen.
Boys Class 4A Regional - Hammond Central vs Mishawaka
Mishawaka's Rasauun Johnson goes over the back of Hammond Central's Matt King.
Boys Class 4A Regional - Hammond Central vs Mishawaka
Hammond Central's Matt King and Mishawaka's Rasauun Johnson collide under the basket.
Boys Class 4A Regional - Hammond Central vs Mishawaka
Hammond Central's Kenneth Grant gets a two-point layup.
Boys Class 4A Regional - Hammond Central vs Mishawaka
Hammond Central's Kenneth Grant gains control of a loose ball.
Boys Class 4A Regional - Hammond Central vs Mishawaka
Hammond Central's Kenneth Grant gets his piece of the net.
Boys Class 4A Regional - Hammond Central vs Mishawaka
Mishawaka's Rasauun Johnson goes over the back of Hammond Central's Matt King.
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21st Century’s Ashton Williamson (3) takes a shot over Westview’s Luke Helmuth (33) in the second quarter at the 2A regional championship at North Judson High School Saturday afternoon.
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21st Century’s Jermiya Henderson-Sims (5) gets tripped up against Westview’s Wade Springer (23) in the second quarter at the 2A regional championship at North Judson High School Saturday afternoon.
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21st Century’s Quintin Floyd (10) goes between Westview’s Jethro Hostetler (3) and Wade Springer (23) at the 2A regional championship at North Judson High School Saturday afternoon.
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21st Century’s Ashton Williamson (3) cuts the nets after the Cougars 67-58 win over Westview for the 2A regional championship at North Judson High School Saturday afternoon.
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21st Century’s Jermiya Henderson-Sims (5) goes for the rebound against Westview’s Brady Yoder (11) and Luke Helmuth (33) at the 2A Regional championship Saturday at North Judson High School.
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21st Century’s Armon Davis (32) raises the regional championship trophy with the team after defeating Westview 67-58 in the 2A Regional championship Saturday at North Judson High School.
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21st Century’s Ashton Williamson (3) goes to the basket against Westview’s Luke Helmuth (33) and Micah Miller (31) in the first quarter at the 2A Regional championship Saturday at North Judson High School.
Mobile Mental Health crisis unit
The Gary Common Council unanimously voted to fund the mobile mental health unit on Tuesday.
TJ aiming for 30th state title
Caroline Dyer and Helen Hann prepare to launch their elastic-powered vehicle down a hallway at Thomas Jefferson Middle School.
First lady Jill Biden visits Ivy Tech Community College in Valparaiso
First lady Jill Biden, left, listens as Ivy Tech student Berdey Ahmat explains the alternate energy learning system Monday at Ivy Tech Community College in Valparaiso.
First lady Jill Biden visits Ivy Tech Community College in Valparaiso
First lady Jill Biden, left, looks on as she is introduced by student Lane Seibet Monday at Ivy Tech Community College in Valparaiso. The first lady was at the campus to highlight the Biden administration's commitment to career-connected learning.
First lady Jill Biden visits Ivy Tech Community College in Valparaiso
First lady Jill Biden speaks Monday at Ivy Tech Community College in Valparaiso. The first lady was at the campus to highlight the Biden administration's commitment to career-connected learning.
Children greeting Jill Biden at Ivy Tech College demonstrate a needed lesson plan
A protester waves a "TRUMP WON" banner Monday while waiting for first lady Jill Biden to arrive at Ivy Tech Community College in Valparaiso. In the background, preschool children cheer, "USA! USA! USA!"
Mussels have carpeted Lake Michigan
Fishermen brave the cold to fish off the pier at Washington Park in Michigan City.
