LAKE CO.— On August 1, 2024, at 3:20 a.m., Indiana State Police Dispatch began receiving calls of a serious crash between two vehicles on the Indiana Toll Road near the 8.3-mile marker in the westbound lanes. Troopers from the Indiana State Police Lowell Post and the Indiana State Police Toll Road Post responded.
Preliminary investigation indicates that a grey 2004 Honda passenger car traveling westbound is believed to have crashed into the center concrete barrier wall and then become disabled in the westbound passing lane, facing north. The driver of the Honda passenger car was allegedly standing outside his vehicle when it was struck in the right rear by a silver 2020 Honda SUV, driven by Luke Coffey, 20, of Oak Park, IL, also traveling westbound. The driver of the Honda passenger car sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene by the Lake County Coroner. Coffey was transported to a local hospital and treated and released.
Toxicology reports are pending. Westbound lanes of the Toll Road reopened at approximately 9:13 a.m. after the conclusion of the on-scene crash investigation and removal of the vehicles. The Lake County Coroner will release the name of the deceased once family notification has been made.
This is an ongoing investigation, and there is no other information to release.
