Semi driver killed in I-80/94 rollover crash in Hammond

HAMMOND, Ill. (WLS) -- A semi driver was killed in a rollover crash involving three other vehicles on I-80/94 just west of Cline Avenue in Hammond, Ind. The crash caused a 5-6 mile backup on the westbound Borman Expressway Friday morning.

Indiana State Police responded to a report of a multi-vehicle crash on westbound I-80/94 near mile marker 4.6 around 1:15 a.m.

Investigators said the semi driver did not slow down and stop soon enough for traffic that was building in the construction zone. The truck struck a 1997 Ford Taurus that was in the right middle lane of the four-lane interstate. The Ford was pushed to the left lane, state police said.

The semi then hit a 2008 Nissan Altima in the right lane, which was pushed into the 2017 Kia Rio in front of it. The Nissan came to rest in a grassy area north of the interstate. The Kia came to a stop on the outer shoulder.

The truck, which was carrying corn seed, rolled over into the grass and lost its load, investigators said. A source said the driver was pinned in the cab and first responders worked for at least 20 minutes before they were able to free him.

A team from the coroner's office in Lake County, Ind., was dispatched to the scene around 3:45 a.m. The semi driver was pronounced dead at the scene at 4 a.m.

He was identified as Michael Northern, 53, of the 5300-block of North State Road 39 in LaPorte, Ind., the coroner's office said. His injuries and manner of death are pending.

There were four people in the Ford. The driver, a 21-year-old man from Sioux City, Iowa, was not hurt. His three passengers were taken to Munster Community Hospital to get checked out. The driver of the Nissan, a 27-year-old man from Hammond, was transported to North Lake Methodist Hospital in Gary, Ind. His injuries were not life threatening. The driver of the Kia, a 41-year-old woman from Homewood, Ill., refused treatment at the scene.

The crash investigation and cleanup blocked lanes on westbound Borman for several hours. All lanes were reopened around 7:10 a.m.