2 Children Hurt In Crash On I-80/94; Alcohol Or Drugs Likely A Factor: Police

LAKE COUNTY, IN — Two young children were injured — at least one severely — in an early morning crash near the Illinois-Indiana border, according to police.

The incident occurred around 4 a.m. Monday at the 3.8-mile marker of Interstate 80/94 near Hammond, police said. A gray 2005 Chrysler van driven by 36-year-old Chicago resident Larry Haynes Jr. was traveling eastbound when it hit the right barrier wall, crossed the lanes and struck the center median wall head-on, according to police.

Haynes was taken to Munster Community Hospital and toxicology results were pending, police said, adding alcohol or drugs were believed to be a factor in the crash.

In the back of the van were a boy and girl, both under 10 and neither properly restrained with car seats, according to police. One of the children suffered injuries that could be life-threatening and was flown to Chicago, police said, while the other child was taken to St. Catherine Hospital in East Chicago.