Six drivers were involved in two separate crashes at the intersection of US 20 and Fail Road on Monday, Feb. 20.

At approximately 10:50 A.M. LaPorte County Sheriff’s deputies responded to the intersection for a crash that involved a semi tractor-trailer and a silver 2005 Lexus.

The crash which was caused by the semi tractor-trailer disregarding the traffic signal at the intersection, according to investigators. The semi tractor-trailer was traveling east on US 20 and struck the passenger vehicle which was traveling north on Fail Road.

The semi tractor’s fuel tank was ruptured in the crash and leaked approximately 100 gallons of fuel. LaPorte County’s Hazardous Materials unit responded to the scene and assisted with the fuel leak.

The people involved refused medical treatment.

As sheriff’s deputies were preparing to leave the scene of the first crash,  a second chain reaction crash occurred at the same intersection.

In that collision, a westbound semi-tractor-trailer was slowing to stop for the traffic signal at Fail Road when it was rear-ended by a second semi tractor-trailer. The second semi was rear-ended by a third semi tractor-trailer. The third semi was then rear-ended by a box truck.

The driver of the box truck was injured and complained of pain in the chest. Three of the four vehicles involved had to be removed from the scene by wrecker services. One lane of westbound US 20 was closed for one hour while the crash was investigated and vehicles were removed.

“We are considerably fortunate that there were no serious injuries in either of these two crashes” stated La Porte County Sheriff John Boyd, “however these crashes both demonstrate the overwhelming need for drivers to be attentive. As we have seen time and time again, distracted driving is rapidly becoming the largest cause of crashes, particularly along this stretch of highway.”