Early Saturday morning, a four-vehicle crash in an active construction zone shut down eastbound I-94 near Michigan City, turning the morning drive into an unexpected parking lot and drawing a crash reconstruction team to the scene. Indiana State Police said one of the vehicles appeared to be driven by an impaired motorist, and officials initially warned the closure could drag on for hours. All lanes reopened a little after 7:40 a.m., but investigators stayed behind to document the wreckage and map out what happened.
What officials said
According to ABC7 Chicago, Indiana State Police said the collision happened just after 6:30 a.m. and shut eastbound I-94 about 1 mile west of U.S. 421 near Michigan City. Troopers said the crash occurred inside a construction zone and involved four vehicles, prompting a crash reconstruction team to respond as they worked to piece together the chain of events. Authorities did not immediately release details about injuries or any potential charges tied to the suspected impaired driver.
Construction zone context
Work along I-94 between State Road 49 and U.S. 421 has meant lane shifts and counterflow traffic patterns as INDOT crews resurface the highway, according to a local notice. WIMS Radio reported that the current configuration includes overnight lane closures and traffic shifts throughout the corridor.
Nationally, the Federal Highway Administration notes that work zones remain hazardous, with hundreds of work-zone fatalities annually and speeding becoming a larger part of the problem. Local outlets have also flagged recent high-speed incidents on this stretch of highway, including a late-night 130 mph work zone chase through the same I-94 construction area earlier this month.
Traffic impact and reopening
Indiana State Police initially warned that the eastbound closure could last for several hours while troopers and reconstruction experts worked the scene. ABC7 Chicago later reported that all eastbound lanes reopened shortly after 7:40 a.m. as crews removed the wrecked vehicles and cleared debris from the roadway.
Drivers in the area reported backups on alternate routes while traffic was diverted and the crash site was cleaned up. Investigators at the scene said they were working to determine the precise sequence of impacts in the multi-vehicle collision.
How drivers can stay safe
INDOT and local agencies are again reminding drivers to slow down, obey temporary speed limits and steer clear of distractions in work zones, especially when counterflow lanes are in place. Their notice urges extra caution any time traffic is squeezed into narrowed lanes or shifted toward opposing traffic.
WIMS Radio has relayed that the resurfacing project involves alternating overnight lane closures and suggests motorists consider alternate routes when possible. Authorities typically ask witnesses or anyone with dashcam or cellphone footage to contact Indiana State Police so investigators can review any available evidence.
