A motorist died on
Sunday in a three-vehicle accident on I-80/94, one of three crashes which
occurred in a back-up caused by an initial accident at the 2.2 mile marker,
the Indiana State Police said.
The name of the
victim is being withheld pending positive identification, police said.
According to
police, at 2:48 a.m. Shenay Neal, 44, of Crown Point, was eastbound on
I-80/94, traveling in the far left lane “at a high rate of speed,” when
Neal’s 2013 Toyota Highlander rear-ended a 1995 Lincoln.
The Lincoln spun
into the left lane where it burst into flames. “Attempts were made to remove
the driver of the Lincoln,” police said. “However, they were unsuccessful
due to the fire. The driver of the Lincoln was declared deceased at the
scene.”
Meanwhile, Neal’s
Highlander continued straight and rear-ended a third vehicle, a semi-tractor
trailer being operated by Lance A. Forbus, 32, of Dallas, Texas, police
said. Neal and Forbus were both transported to hospital for treatment of
minor injuries.
“Upon completion, a
copy of the investigation will be forwarded to the Lake County Prosecutor’s
Office for review,” police said.
Investigators were
still at the scene of the fatal accident when a seven-vehicle crash occurred
in the traffic backup at the 0.7 mile marker. A third crash involving a
passenger vehicle and a semi subsequently occurred at the 0.1mile marker as
well, police said.
The initial crash
which caused the backup led to the arrest of Anthony Van Norris, 35, of
Merrillville, on a charge of operating while intoxicated, police said. Van
Norris crashed his 2019 Chevrolet Camaro at the 2.2 mile marker, which
resulted in the blockage of two lanes, police said.