A dump truck lost control this morning, losing his load of asphalt grindings through the windshield of a passing Honda Civic injuring the driver,
Preliminary investigation by Trooper Nate Wolfe revealed at approximately 8:53 a.m., this Sunday, August 27, 2017, morning, a 1999 Ford F450 dump, owned by Gough Construction Company out of Merrillville, IN and driven by Kyle Lemons, 35 of Michigan City was east bound on I-94 in the left lane at the 37.1 mile marker (this is three miles east of the Michigan City exit) when a tire blew out on the Ford.
This caused the truck to lose control, spin out and strike the concrete median barrier wall. The truck’s load (asphalt grindings) spilled over the concrete barrier wall and hit three vehicles on I-94 that were going east bound in the left lane.
Christopher R. Rzab, 29 of Tinley Park, IL, was east bound in the left lane in a 2016 Ford car when his car sustained approximately $2,000 in damages from the asphalt grindings.
A 2002 Honda Civic, driven by Youa Jee Xiong, 18 of Sheboygan, WI, was behind Rzab when the asphalt grindings went through his windshield and covered the inside of his vehicle from front to back.
Xiong was injured (non-life threatening) and taken to Saint Anthony’s Hospital in Michigan City. A 2004 Honda Civic, driven by Yang Pao Vue, 19 of Sheboygan, WI, was behind Xiong and sustained approximately $1,000 in damage.
Lemons, Rzab, and Vue were not injured. Lemons was cited for Leaky Load and alcohol may be a factor in this crash. Lemons also allegedly left the scene of the crash returning later. Charges are pending with the La Porte County Prosecutor.
Agencies assisting: Springfield Fire and EMS, Cloverleaf and Ace Towing
All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
