Merrillville, IN (February 15, 2026) – A three-vehicle crash on northbound I-65 Saturday evening left one man dead and another seriously injured, with a Gary man taken into custody on suspicion of operating while intoxicated.
According to Indiana State Police, troopers responded to the collision around 5:15 p.m. on February 14 beneath the 73rd Ave overpass in Merrillville. The crash involved an SUV, a pickup truck, and a converted school bus being used as an RV that was towing a passenger vehicle.
Investigators said the impact caused the school bus/RV to strike a bridge support for the overpass. The driver of the bus, identified by the Lake County Coroner’s Office as 60-year-old William Binkley of Waukegan, was pronounced dead at the scene. A passenger inside the bus/RV was airlifted to the University of Chicago Hospital with life-threatening injuries. The driver of the SUV was reportedly not seriously hurt.
Police stated that the 48-year-old driver of the pickup truck showed signs of alcohol impairment during the investigation and later became combative with troopers. He was taken into custody and transported to a local hospital, where a search warrant for a blood draw was obtained and executed. Afterward, he was booked into the Lake County Jail on probable cause for OWI involving a fatality. The investigation remains ongoing.
Key Details
- Location: I-65 northbound near 73rd Ave overpass, Merrillville
- Reported: February 14 at 5:15 p.m.
- Type: Three-vehicle crash
- Fatality: William Binkley, 60, of Waukegan
- Injuries: One passenger airlifted with life-threatening injuries
- Custody: Pickup driver held on probable cause for OWI involving a fatality
What We Know So Far
- The crash occurred beneath the 73rd Ave overpass on northbound I-65.
- A converted school bus towing a vehicle struck a bridge support following the collision.
- The pickup driver was taken into custody after troopers initiated an OWI investigation.
What’s Not Yet Confirmed
- Final toxicology results from the blood draw.
- Whether additional charges will be filed.
- The full sequence of events leading up to the crash.
Local Context
Interstate 65 through Merrillville is a heavily traveled corridor connecting Northwest Indiana to Chicago and other regional hubs. Evening traffic near overpasses such as 73rd Ave can include commuters, commercial vehicles, and long-distance travelers. Serious crashes along this stretch often result in significant traffic disruptions while investigators document the scene and clear damaged vehicles.
What to Do Next
- Move to a safe location if possible and check for injuries.
- Follow instructions from emergency personnel and law enforcement at the scene.
- Take photos of vehicle damage and surrounding roadway conditions if it is safe to do so.
- Seek medical attention promptly, even if injuries are not immediately apparent.
FAQ
Q: How are accident reports usually obtained?
A: In Indiana, crash reports are typically available through the investigating agency after they are processed. Requests can often be submitted online or through official state portals.
Q: Why do highway accidents cause delays?
A: Crashes on major highways can block lanes, require medical airlifts, and involve extensive scene documentation, all of which may keep traffic restricted for extended periods.
Q: What does it mean when someone is held on probable cause?
A: Being held on probable cause means law enforcement believes there is sufficient evidence at that time to support an arrest while the investigation continues and formal charges are reviewed.
Source
Read the original coverage here: original report.
