Hammond fire trudk damaged in crash

Driver strikes ISP trooper on I-80/94 and is captured by Good Samaritans

Contributed By:The 411 News

A North Carolina man, Bryan Smith, is in custody after fleeing an auto accident scene on I-80/94 early in the morning of Saturday, July 23.

According to a statement from the Lowell Post of the Indiana State Police, Smith was travelling at a high rate of speed eastbound in a 2016 white Dodge Charger on I-80/94 about 2am when it crashed into a Hammond Fire truck and a black 2009 Subaru, there from an earlier incident. The location is near Calumet Avenue.

Preliminary investigation by Trooper Luckey revealed that the Subaru then spun out of control striking a black 2012 Dodge Journey that was parked on the right shoulder. This collision pushed the Journey into Trooper William Carlson who was investigating.

Carlson was standing between the Journey and the concrete barrier wall. He was pinned against the wall. Trooper Carlson was able to free himself from the crash and requested medical assistance. He was transported to Munster Community Hospital for treatment and later released.

Smith attempted to flee the scene on foot and abandoned his seriously injured passenger. As the driver ran away, Trooper Ryan Parent also pursued the suspect on foot.

While Smith was running from the crash scene, the Good Samaritans placed their vehicle in front of the fleeing suspect. One of the Good Samaritans, who was armed with a handgun, exited the truck and drew his weapon and ordered the suspect to stop. The suspect complied and was able to be taken into custody by Trooper Parent.

The identity of the Good Samaritans will not be released by the Indiana State Police.

Smith, age 23, is currently being held at the Lake County Jail pending formal charges being approved and filed by the Lake County Prosecutor’s Office. The passenger in the Dodge Charger, a 23-year-old female from Chicago Heights, IL, sustained serious injuries and was flown to Christ Advocate Hospital for treatment. Her current condition is not known.

None of the other drivers or any other officers or firefighters sustained any injuries. A Glock .45 handgun was recovered from inside the Dodge Charger.

Story Posted:07/24/2022