Trooper Released From Hospital
HAMMOND- Christmas morning at 8:14 a.m., troopers from the Lowell Post were investigating a crash on I-80/94 WB on the overpass at Indianapolis Blvd, according to Sgt. Glen Fifield
As the troopers were investigating, Trooper Davonne Barlow, a 9-year veteran, parked his fully marked police car on the left shoulder against the concrete median barrier. Trooper Barlow was acting as a “secondary unit”. Troopers commonly do this to provide emergency lighting support, warning drivers of the crash ahead. As he was parked and sitting in his car, with his seatbelt fastened, his car was rear-ended by an SUV, Fifield said.
Preliminary investigation by Trooper Brant Goubeaux shows that a black 2001 BMW swerved as it approached the scene. The driver, Willie J. Whithead, 30, from Green Bay, WI, lost control of his vehicle and struck the 2013 Dodge Charger. The force of this impact caused the police car to strike the median wall, then the Charger crossed all lanes of I-80/94 coming to a rest on the right shoulder.
Both drivers were transported to Munster Community Hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries. The interstate was closed for 2 hours for crash reconstruction/investigation.
This is on-going investigation, any charges will be determined by the Lake County Prosecutor pending the results of toxicology tests.
Trooper Barlow has since been treated and released from the hospital and is recovering at home with his family, Fifield added.
*All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in court*
Assisting at the scene were the following: Double T Towing, Hammond Fire/EMS, INDOT, Hammond PD and the ISP Crash Reconstruction Team.
