LAKE CO., Ind. (ADAMS) – Indiana State Police say that one of their own was not seriously hurt when his vehicle was hit on I-80 Wednesday afternoon.
Officials say that Sergeant Fifield, a 24-year veteran with the Indiana State Police, was concluding a routine traffic stop near the 10-mile-marker when he saw a vehicle coming straight toward him.
He was able to jump over a barrier and avoid being hit. His ISP car was hit by a Chrysler Town and Country driven by Carey Carlson, 40, of Lake Station. The Chrysler was then hit by a Chevrolet Cruz.
Right now, police do not know what caused Carlson to crash into the car but they think impairment may have been an issue. Police are now waiting on toxicology results.
Indiana State Police released the following:
Wednesday afternoon, just before 3:00 p.m., Sgt. Fifield’s vehicle was struck on I-80 eastbound near the 10 mile-marker.
Preliminary investigation revealed that a 2007 Chrysler Town and Country, driven by Carey Carlson, 40, from Lake Station, IN, was traveling eastbound on I-80 near the 10 mile-marker. For an unknown reason, the Chrysler ran off the left side of the road and struck the barrier wall. The Chrysler then continued back into the lanes of travel and struck a 2021 Nissan Altima driven by John Ferrell, 74, of Augustine, OR. The Nissan lost control and came to rest on the left shoulder facing westbound.
At that time, Sgt. Fifield was conducting a traffic stop on the right shoulder near the 10 mile-marker. As Sgt. Fifield was finishing the traffic stop and returning to his vehicle, he noticed the Chrysler coming toward him. Sgt. Fifield was able to jump over the concrete barrier before his vehicle was struck. After striking Sgt. Fifield’s vehicle, the Chrysler came to a stop in the right lane and was struck by a 2018 Chevrolet Cruze, driven by Kayla Tempel, 24, of Chicago, IL. Sgt. Fifield had his emergency lights activated at the time of the crash.
Sgt. Fifield and Carlson were transported by EMS to a Lake County area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. None of the other drivers sustained injuries in the crash.
This crash is still under investigation, and there is no further information to release at this time. It is believed that impairment is a contributing factor to the crash, however troopers are awaiting toxicology results. Once the investigation is complete, it will be turned over to the Lake County Prosecutor for review and determination of charges, if any, to be filed.
Indiana State Police Lowell Post was assisted on the scene by Gary Police Department, Winfield Police Department, Gary Fire Department, Gary EMS, and Waffco Towing.
Sgt. Field is a 24-year veteran with the Indiana State Police and serves as Public Information Officer for the Lowell Post.
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