Hammond, IL – Officer Struck & Injured By Hit-and-Run Driver on I-80

Hammond, IL (July 23, 2022) – The Indiana State Police report that a trooper investigating a collision was wounded early on Saturday, July 23, when a vehicle struck a fire engine on Interstate 80.

At around 2:00 a.m., police said, troopers and Hammond firemen were examining an accident at the 0.7-mile marker.

A 2016 Dodge Charger driver collided with a fire truck and a 2009 Subaru as a result of reportedly speeding in the eastbound lane. The Subaru lost control and struck a parked 2012 Dodge Journey on the right shoulder.

According to the State Police, the impact propelled the Journey into the trooper, who was positioned between the Journey and the concrete barrier wall, trapping him against the wall. He was able to escape and was transported to a nearby hospital for treatment before being discharged.

Troopers said that the Charger’s driver, a 23-year-old man from North Carolina, left the scene and abandoned his severely wounded passenger. According to reports, a second officer on the site and two Good Samaritans pursued the culprit.

A woman from Chicago Heights, aged 23 years old, was transported to a local hospital for treatment, although her present status was not given. No other drivers sustained injuries.

Police report that the suspect has been sent to the Lake County Jail for official charges, however, the investigation is ongoing.

We extend our deepest condolences and hopes for a speedy recovery to the wounded victims and their loved ones.

Accidental Injuries Sustained by Chicago Pedestrians

Despite a general drop in mortality resulting from other types of car accidents, the number of pedestrian deaths in the United States has increased by more than 34% in recent years. Several of the nation’s most populous and walkable cities, like Chicago, Springfield, and others, are located in Illinois, which is plagued with this terrible trend. On the congested streets of these densely populated places, the danger of severe injury or death for pedestrians is regrettably magnified.

Cook County has the highest pedestrian death rate in the state. Over 110 pedestrians were murdered in Cook County alone in 2019, a five-year high, according to officials.

When confronted with the tragic aftermath of a big disaster, victims may feel helpless, whether they are suffering from continuing health issues, physical agony, or significant medical expenses. On occasion, pedestrian accident victims die as a result of their injuries, leaving grieving families to struggle with growing costs, lost earning potential, funeral expenditures, and the indescribable anguish of losing a loved one.

If you or a loved one was injured or died in a pedestrian accident, you might have a number of legal alternatives. After speaking with a Chicago automobile accident attorney, you may find you are entitled to full and fair financial recompense.

Under the Illinois Wrongful Death Act, persons wounded by the carelessness or inattention of another motorist may file a claim for compensation. If a case is successful, dependents and family members get compensation.

Consequently, it is vital that family members contact an experienced Illinois accident attorney as soon as one of these incidents occurs. When you have been engaged in an avoidable accident or have lost a loved one, the D&W Law Group will do all necessary to ensure that you get the maximum amount of compensation to which you are entitled.

Our lawyers think that bereaved families should never be required to pay for expenditures incurred because of a negligent driver’s actions. When you contact our skilled and knowledgeable legal team, we will serve as your liaison and establish a successful accident claim methodically.

Please call the D&W Law Group at 312-888-8888 for a no-obligation, situation-specific consultation. Our Chicago personal injury lawyers are prepared to analyze your legal options and help you in pursuing justice without delay.

Note: Our team of writers uses secondary sources, including news reports, police accident reports, social media posts, and sometimes, eyewitness accounts, to compose these posts. Our firm has not independently verified any of the facts surrounding this particular accident, therefore, if you locate any information that is not correct, please let us know right away. We will correct the post to reflect the most accurate information available. We will remove a post upon request. 

Disclaimer: This is not a solicitation for business.  The information provided in this post is not intended to be legal advice or medical advice. If you or a loved one is injured in an accident, always seek medical assistance as soon as possible. The photo used in this post was not taken at the described accident scene.