Northwest Indiana Snowstorm Triggers More Than 200 Crashes and Slide-Offs Across Major Highways
CROWN POINT, IN — A powerful Thanksgiving weekend snowstorm created treacherous travel conditions across Northwest Indiana, leading to more than 200 weather-related incidents in just 24 hours, according to the Indiana State Police.
Troopers Report Dangerous Road Conditions and High Crash Volume
Between 10 a.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. Sunday, troopers in the Lowell District responded to:
- 120 slide-offs
- 84 crashes
- 7 injury crashes
- 40 motorist assists
- 10 abandoned vehicles
State Police said that persistent snowfall combined with slick roads dramatically increased the number of traffic incidents throughout the region.
I-65 and I-80/94 Experience the Heaviest Impact
The most severe activity was recorded along I-65 between Crown Point and Remington, where troopers handled:
- 39 crashes
- 68 slide-offs
- 16 assists for stranded drivers
Additional crashes and spinouts occurred along I-80/94, a heavily traveled corridor stretching from the Illinois border to Michigan — a route that routinely sees increased traffic during holiday weekends.
Hammond Crash Linked to Medical Emergency
Late Sunday morning, troopers responded to a crash on I-80 in Hammond, where the involved driver was later pronounced dead. Preliminary findings indicate the individual suffered a medical emergency behind the wheel, and the crash itself was not believed to be the cause of death. Family members inside the car witnessed the medical event.
State Police: Many Incidents Were Preventable
Troopers emphasized that several of the crashes and slide-offs “could have been prevented”, citing two primary issues:
- Driving too fast for conditions
- Following other vehicles too closely
With winter conditions beginning to settle across the state, police are urging motorists to slow down, increase following distance, winterize vehicles, and keep up with changing weather forecasts before traveling.
Share Your Experience
How did road conditions look in your area this weekend?
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