A semi-truck driver who authorities say ran a red light at a DeMotte intersection has been arrested after a violent three vehicle crash left a Portage grandmother, her 3-year-old grandchild, and another truck driver with significant injuries Wednesday morning.

According to the Jasper County Sheriff’s Department, the crash occurred at approximately 10:31 a.m. on July 8 at the intersection of State Road 10 and County Road 1200 West. Deputies responded after receiving multiple 911 calls reporting a serious multi vehicle collision.

The preliminary investigation determined that 57-year-old Kimberly Bansley of Portage was driving a 2003 Buick LeSabre southbound on County Road 1200 West and was crossing State Road 10. At the same time, 73-year-old Paul Trapp of Cape Coral, Florida, was driving a semi-tractor trailer northbound on County Road 1200 West and was turning east onto State Road 10.

Investigators allege that 38-year-old Emmanuel Lopez Tlacomulco of East Chicago, Indiana, was operating a semi-tractor trailer eastbound on State Road 10 when he disregarded a red traffic signal and slammed into Bansley’s Buick, forcing it into Trapp’s semi.

The impact left Bansley and Trapp with significant injuries. Bansley’s 3-year-old grandchild, who was riding in the Buick, also suffered significant injuries.

Bansley was airlifted by STAT Flight to Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, Illinois. The child was flown by Lutheran Air to the University of Chicago Children’s Hospital. Trapp was transported by Keener Township EMS to Franciscan Health Crown Point for treatment.

Following the crash, Lopez Tlacomulco was detained and taken to Franciscan Health in Rensselaer, where he was medically cleared. Investigators determined he allegedly did not possess a driver’s license or a commercial driver’s license despite operating a semi-truck.

Authorities placed Lopez Tlacomulco under arrest pending criminal charges. The Jasper County Sheriff’s Department also reported that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has placed an immigration hold on him due to his undocumented immigration status.

The intersection remained closed for nearly seven hours while investigators documented the scene and completed crash reconstruction, reopening at approximately 5:30 p.m.

The Jasper County Sheriff’s Department is conducting the criminal investigation and preparing the initial crash report, while the Indiana State Police is handling the crash reconstruction.

Officials thanked the Indiana State Police, DeMotte Police Department, Newton County Sheriff’s Department, Keener Township EMS, Keener Township Fire Department, Newton County EMS, Lincoln Township Fire Department, STAT Flight, Lutheran Air, INDOT, and Cheever’s Towing for their assistance with the investigation, emergency medical response, and cleanup efforts.

The investigation remains ongoing. All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.