Introduction to the Incident
An Indiana man is dead and another man is in custody after a multi-vehicle crash on U.S. 20 in Portage on Wednesday, according to police. The arrest was made for driving without a commercial driver’s license (CDL).
Details of the Crash
Around 1:21 p.m., Portage police and fire responded to a crash with entrapment on U.S. Hwy 20, near Douglas Drive. An investigation revealed that an eastbound Ram Sprinter van slowed to a stop due to traffic, while waiting to make a left turn on Douglas. An eastbound Freightliner semi-tractor with a trailer, driven by Broko Stankovic, of Lyons, Ill., approached the van and didn’t appear to slow down. The semi made a hard evasive left turn and entered the left inside lane of westbound U.S. 20, where it struck a westbound Subaru Crosstrek, police said.
Aftermath of the Collision
The collision caused the semi to jackknife, and the front of the trailer to hit the rear of the van. The van was then pushed into a road sign near the Clean Air Check. The driver and passenger of the van were treated at the scene and released.
The driver of the Subaru, a 54-year-old man, died at the scene, authorities said. His identity has not been released.
Investigation Findings
The investigation revealed that Stankovic did not possess a CDL, nor was his company registered through the Dept. of Transportation. He was also in possession of a suspended Illinois CDL, which belonged to a family member, police said. Stankovic was arrested and charged with one felony count of criminal recklessness resulting in death and one felony count of reckless homicide.
Immigration Status and Detainer
As Stankovic was being taken to the Porter County Jail, police said it was determined an Immigration and Customs Enforcement detainer would be placed on him due to his immigration status. It’s unknown at this time if Stankovic was detained by ICE or if he is in police custody.
Conclusion
The fatal crash on U.S. 20 in Portage highlights the importance of adhering to traffic laws and regulations, particularly for commercial drivers. The incident also raises questions about immigration status and the role of ICE in such cases. As the investigation continues, more details are expected to emerge.
FAQs
- What was the cause of the crash? The crash occurred when a semi-tractor driven by Broko Stankovic failed to slow down and made a hard evasive left turn, striking a westbound Subaru Crosstrek.
- What charges was Stankovic arrested for? Stankovic was arrested and charged with one felony count of criminal recklessness resulting in death and one felony count of reckless homicide.
- Why was an ICE detainer placed on Stankovic? An ICE detainer was placed on Stankovic due to his immigration status.
- What is the current status of Stankovic’s custody? It’s unknown at this time if Stankovic was detained by ICE or if he is in police custody.
