Hammond, IN – A two-semi crash on I-80 near Hammond late Thursday night ended with one driver under arrest for allegedly operating while intoxicated, according to Indiana State Police.
The crash happened around 9 p.m. on eastbound I-80 at the 3.7-mile marker near Indianapolis Boulevard. Investigators said a semi driven by Jean C. Muniz-Rios, 37, of Saint Cloud, Florida, made an unsafe lane change and rear-ended another truck.
According to police, Trooper Baker suspected Muniz-Rios had consumed alcohol before the crash and began an OWI investigation. Authorities said the driver refused a chemical test, leading to a court-approved search warrant for a blood draw at a local hospital. Muniz-Rios was then transported to the Lake County Jail.
He is preliminarily charged with Operating While Intoxicated Endangering, a Class A misdemeanor, and Operating While Intoxicated, a Class C misdemeanor.
Police said the eastbound lanes of I-80 were shut down for about two hours during crash cleanup, causing delays for late-night commuters.
All suspects are considered innocent unless proven guilty in court.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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