Hammond, Lake County-A semi taking the ramp from Calumet Avenue to I-80 eastbound too fast this morning, caused a multi-semi crash that caused a major back-up in traffic this morning during the rush hour commute.

Preliminary investigation by Trooper Gary Runde revealed that, at approximately 5:19 a.m., a 1998 Freightliner pulling a rail container, driven by Jesus Villegas, 26 of Melrose Park, Illinois, was on the ramp from Calumet Avenue to I-80 eastbound when he took the ramp too fast. This caused the semi to roll over onto to its driver’s side and slide onto I-80 eastbound blocking the far right and right middle lanes. The Freightliner, owned by Djuric Trucking Incorporated out of Hammond, Indiana, was loaded with finished wood products. No load was loss and Villegas was not injured.

A 1977 Peterbilt semi pulling an empty covered wagon trailer, driven by Thomas Poepping, 60 of Burlington, Wisconsin, was eastbound in the right middle lane when it hit the rail container. The Peterbilt stayed upright and is owned by Chief Freightline Incorporated out of Portage, Indiana. Poepping was taken to Munster Community Hospital with a fractured knee.

A 2005 International pulling a box trailer, driven by Wladyslaw Gogola, 43 of Justice, Illinois, was eastbound behind Poepping’s semi when Gogola tried to swerve to the left to avoid the two semis. This caused Gogola’s semi to jack-knife, hitting Poepping’s trailer and crashing into and through the concrete median barrier wall. This caused the side of Gogola’s trailer to be ripped open and parts of its load, rolls of Styrofoam to come out onto the interstate. The semi stayed upright and Gogola was not injured.

All lanes eastbound were closed until approximately 7:30 a.m. when the left two lanes were re-opened. All lanes were re-opened at 8:30 a.m. Lanes were closed for removal of the semis and transporting of the injured.

Assisting: Troopers Lawrence McFarrin and Brandon Henderson, Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division Sergeant Wanda Clay and Trooper Tom DeVries, Berts Towing, Hammond Fire and EMS