Two Separate Truck Crashes Gridlock I-80/94 for Hours

Lake County- Two separate truck crashes overnight gridlocked traffic along eastbound I-80/94 for hours this morning. The first crash occurred last night at approximately 9:30 p.m.  Preliminary investigation by Trooper Haddon shows that a green 2022 Freightliner was traveling eastbound in the far-right lane when it rear-ended a 2003 Freightliner that was pulling an empty box trailer.  The 2003 Freightliner was in the process of being towed by a large tow truck, operated by Macer Towing. As a result of the impact, debris and vehicle parts were scattered across all the lanes, as well as a large amount of oil and diesel fuel. All eastbound lanes were shut down until approximately 5:00 a.m. for scene cleanup. Only minor injuries were sustained by the driver of the green 2022 Freightliner. WAFFCO Towing handled the vehicle recovery and HEPACO was contacted by INDOT to remove the oil from the roadway.

At approximately 3:15 a.m., troopers were dispatched to I-80/94 eastbound lanes at the 8.8 mile-marker for a semi, a 2016 Freightliner, that was stopped in the lane of travel.  As Trooper Parent was responding to the scene, he observed another semi, a 2020 Volvo, rear-end the trailer of the stopped truck. As a result of the impact, the driver was trapped inside the cab of the Volvo. While first responders were treating the injured driver, Trooper Parent spoke with the driver of the Freightliner. Trooper Parent observed signs of impairment and while attempting to conduct an O.W.I. investigation, the driver physically resisted.  The driver, Kennieth L. O’Conner Jr., 36, from Zachary, LA, hit Trooper Parent on the head with his arm.  After giving multiple requests for Mr. O’Conner to stop resisting, a taser was deployed to subdue the subject.  Mr. O’Conner was then taken into custody. Trp. Parent transported Mr. O’Conner to Southlake Hospital where a warrant for a blood draw was requested and later granted by a Lake County Judge.  That warrant was executed and once the subject was medically cleared, he was transported to the Lake County Jail for booking. 

Mr. O’Conner is preliminarily charged with Operating While Intoxicated Causing Catastrophic Injuries- Level 4 Felony, Battery on Law Enforcement- Level 6 Felony, and Resisting Arrest- Class A Misdemeanor.  These charges are preliminary, final charges will be determined by the Lake County Prosecutor’s Office.

The driver of the Volvo was transported to Northlake Hospital with life-threatening injuries and later flown to the University of Chicago for treatment. The roadway was closed at this location until approximately 9:00 a.m. for crash reconstruction and scene cleanup.  Double T Towing handled the recovery of the vehicles.  Also assisting at the scene was the Lake County Sheriff’s Department, Gary Fire and Police Departments, and INDOT.

All suspects are presumed innocent until/unless proven guilty in court.

Photo 1- Cab of Green 2022 Freightliner (12 mile-marker crash)

Photo 2- Engine and trailer of Green 2022 Freightliner (12 mile-marker crash)

Photo 3 & 4- Crash scene at the 8 mile-marker

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