Lake County- Earlier this evening, Indiana State Police responded to a semi crash on Interstate 80 at the 6.0 mile marker (this is the Burr Street exit) that caused one driver to hit the median wall.

Preliminary investigation revealed that, at approximately 6:18 p.m. today, Wednesday, August 15th, a 2005 Freightliner semi pulling a container trailer, driven by Franciszell Studzinski, 50 of Hobart, Indiana was traveling in the second lane from the left, when traffic became slowed/stopped in front of him.  A 2003 Freightliner, driven by Hayden G. Crockett, 55 of Aurora, Nebraska, was following Studzinski when he failed to slow/stop in time before hitting Studzinski’s semi in the rear. After rear ending the container trailer, Crockett then lost control of his semi and struck the median wall.

Studzinski was loaded with auto parts that were inside the container trailer. The semi was owned by MLP Leasing Inc. out of Romeoville, Illinois.  He was not injured. Nor was the load lost or damaged. The load was coming from Elwood, Illinois and headed to Columbus, Indiana.

Crockett was loaded with Hormel meats that were inside the refrigerated box trailer. The semi is owned by Crockett. He was not injured. Nor was the load lost or damaged. The load was coming from Fremont, Nebraska and headed to Lima, Ohio. Crockett was cited for following too closely.

The two left lanes east bound were closed an hour for removal of vehicles, clean up and crash investigation.

Agencies assisting: The Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division, Gary Police Department, Hoosier Helpers, and Waffco Towing Services.

All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.