Emmanuel Lopez Tlacomulco, 38, of East Chicago, has been charged in Jasper County after police alleged he ran a red light while driving a semi tractor-trailer, causing a three-vehicle crash that left a 57-year-old woman and a 3-year-old boy with catastrophic injuries. 

According to court documents, the crash occurred at approximately 10:31 a.m. on July 8 at the intersection of State Road 10 and County Road 1200 West near DeMotte. Officers arrived and began providing lifesaving measures to the child and the woman, identified as Kimberly Bansley. The child was airlifted to Comer Children’s Hospital in Chicago, while Bansley was flown to Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn with life-threatening injuries. 

Police said Lopez Tlacomulco was driving a 1998 Freightliner eastbound on State Road 10 when he allegedly entered the intersection against a red traffic signal and struck Bansley’s southbound Buick LeSabre. The impact pushed the Buick into a northbound Peterbilt semi that was turning east through the intersection. 

Investigators said dash camera footage from the Peterbilt, along with video provided by another uninvolved semi truck, showed northbound and southbound traffic had a green light while eastbound traffic had been facing a red light for approximately 13 seconds before the collision. Investigators also determined the traffic signals were functioning properly. 

Court documents allege Lopez Tlacomulco was operating the commercial motor vehicle while hauling a flatbed trailer loaded with steel plates. Investigators further alleged he had never been issued a driver’s license in any U.S. state and did not possess a commercial driver’s license. The affidavit also states investigators alleged he did not speak English, which they said is required in Indiana for commercial motor vehicle operators. 

Police alleged Lopez Tlacomulco disregarded the red light, failed to obey a traffic control device, failed to yield to other vehicles and drove at an unsafe speed through the intersection. 

According to court documents, the 3-year-old suffered catastrophic injuries, including a fractured skull, fractured hip, liver laceration and a possible diffuse axonal brain injury. Bansley suffered a fractured skull, fractured shoulder, crushed eye, broken hip and a collapsed lung. 

Charges filed July 14, 2026:

Criminal Recklessness Causing Catastrophic Injury (Level 5 Felony) – 2 counts

Operating a Motor Vehicle Without Ever Receiving a License Resulting in Catastrophic Injury (Level 5 Felony) – 2 counts