INDIANAPOLIS -
A Round Lake, Illinois mother and her two children are fighting for their lives following a six-vehicle crash on I-65 near the Keystone exit Friday night.
State Police say 72-year-old Charles Walker, Knox, Indiana, was driving his brown 2008 Allegro R.V. pulling a horse trailer with three horses southbound on I-65 near the 107.4 mile-marker in the third lane when traffic in front of him came to an abrupt stop. Walker attempted to stop and inadvertently put his foot on the accelerator instead of the break. Walker's vehicle made impact with an unknown year Honda Odyssey being driven by Erin McCormick, 36, Round Lake, IL.
Walker continued pushing the accelerator thinking he was applying the brakes and continued pushing McCormick's vehicle southbound. McCormick's vehicle struck a 1999 Chevrolet Silverado being driven by Michael Capps of Indianapolis, IN. The vehicles continued being pushed by Walker and collided with a blue 2001 Nissan being driven by Jeffery Parson of Indianapolis.
Those vehicles continued to be pushed and collided with a gray 2010 Honda Accord being driven by Kimberly Kelly of Greenwood. Those vehicles were pushed into the final vehicle, a red 2007 Dodge being driven by Thomas Johnson of Greenwood before coming to final rest.
Erin McCormick sustained life threatening injuries in this crash and was taken to Wishard Hospital where she is currently being treated for those injuries. Her daughter, Gwendolyn McCormick, age 4 and son, Quintin McCormick, age 2 were transported to Riley's Children Hospital for life threatening injuries (severe head and face trauma) where they are currently being treated for their injuries.
Their father, Erik McCormick, who was also a passenger in the vehicle, was not injured.
Charles Walker was issued three traffic tickets and one traffic warning as a result of this crash. He was issued traffic tickets for driving a vehicle in the third lane of the interstate while towing a trailer in violation of postings, driving a vehicle-trailer combination in violation of maximum length, and speeding when required to reduce speed. He was also issued a written warning for an expired trailer registration plate.
State Police say 72-year-old Charles Walker, Knox, Indiana, was driving his brown 2008 Allegro R.V. pulling a horse trailer with three horses southbound on I-65 near the 107.4 mile-marker in the third lane when traffic in front of him came to an abrupt stop. Walker attempted to stop and inadvertently put his foot on the accelerator instead of the break. Walker's vehicle made impact with an unknown year Honda Odyssey being driven by Erin McCormick, 36, Round Lake, IL.
Walker continued pushing the accelerator thinking he was applying the brakes and continued pushing McCormick's vehicle southbound. McCormick's vehicle struck a 1999 Chevrolet Silverado being driven by Michael Capps of Indianapolis, IN. The vehicles continued being pushed by Walker and collided with a blue 2001 Nissan being driven by Jeffery Parson of Indianapolis.
Those vehicles continued to be pushed and collided with a gray 2010 Honda Accord being driven by Kimberly Kelly of Greenwood. Those vehicles were pushed into the final vehicle, a red 2007 Dodge being driven by Thomas Johnson of Greenwood before coming to final rest.
Erin McCormick sustained life threatening injuries in this crash and was taken to Wishard Hospital where she is currently being treated for those injuries. Her daughter, Gwendolyn McCormick, age 4 and son, Quintin McCormick, age 2 were transported to Riley's Children Hospital for life threatening injuries (severe head and face trauma) where they are currently being treated for their injuries.
Their father, Erik McCormick, who was also a passenger in the vehicle, was not injured.
Charles Walker was issued three traffic tickets and one traffic warning as a result of this crash. He was issued traffic tickets for driving a vehicle in the third lane of the interstate while towing a trailer in violation of postings, driving a vehicle-trailer combination in violation of maximum length, and speeding when required to reduce speed. He was also issued a written warning for an expired trailer registration plate.
