A wrong way driver last night hit another car head on sending three people to the hospital.
Investigation by Trooper John Landowski revealed that, a Dodge Caravan, driven by 37 year old Melissa Herzog, of Hammond, was east bound in the west bound lanes of I-80/94, near Broadway when the Caravan hit a Honda Accord head on. The Accord was in the left middle lane going west bound when the driver 21 year old Bryan J. Lopez, of Montgomery, Illinois could not avoid the Dodge.
Herzog tried to leave the scene on foot but troopers were able to detain her. Herzog was taken to a Gary hospital for non-life threatening injuries where she was kept for observation.
Lopez and his passenger, 21 year old Jozlyn Rocha, of Aurora, Illinois were also taken to the hospital for non-life threatening injuries.
Further investigation revealed that Herzog had an open container of alcohol and her licensed was suspended, alcohol use may have also been a factor in the crash. Formal charges are to be determined by the Lake County Prosecutor’s Office.
The left three lanes of I-80/94 west bound were closed for investigation of the crash, removal of the injured and vehicles, and clean-up of the road.