Chesterton Tribune

 

 

VPD to aggressively blitz Indiana 49; man in Saturday 500N crash critical

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The Valparaiso Police Department has announced an enforcement blitz on Ind. 49 aimed at aggressive and dangerous driving in the city limits.

Extra patrols--funded through the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute and the Governors Council on Impaired and Dangerous Driving--will be actively seeking motorists who disregard automatic signals, speed, or exhibit aggressive driving habits.

The high-visible, low-tolerance patrols--many of them manned by off-duty officers--will be active during both day and evening hours. If you speed or run a red, expect a citation.

The VPD is reminding all motorists that the speed limit on Ind. 49 within city limits is 55 miles per hour.

Update on Crash at Ind. 49/C.R. 500N

The VPD’s blitz announcement comes two days after a Knox man, John Binkowski, 22, southbound on Ind. 49 and stopped for a red light at the intersection of C.R. 500N, was rear-ended by a semi-tractor trailer.

Binkowski’s vehicle was slammed into the intersection, the VPD said, and he had to be extricated. Late on Monday he was reported to be in critical condition at the Chicago hospital to which he was airlifted.

The driver of the semi, a 58-year-old Nashville, Tenn., man, advised police that he was unable to stop in time for the red light.

Sgt. Mike Grennes told the Chesterton Tribune today that the trucker tested negative for alcohol on a breath test but that the results of a blood test are pending. When the VPD’s investigation is complete, all findings will be forwarded to the Porter County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office for review, Grennes said.

The trucker--whose name the VPD did not release--was issued a citation for disregarding an automatic signal, Grennes added.

 

 

Posted 3/10/2015

 
 

 

 

 

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