Gary Man David K. Rodgers Arrested for OWI After Deadly I-65 Crash in Merrillville Kills Waukegan’s William Binkley, Injures Another in Converted Bus vs. Bridge Collision.

MERRILLVILLE, Ind. — Authorities are investigating a devastating three-vehicle collision that occurred Saturday evening on Interstate 65 in Merrillville, a crash that claimed the life of a 60-year-old Illinois man and left another passenger fighting for their life after a converted school bus slammed into a bridge support. The investigation has led to the arrest of a Gary, Indiana, man on probable cause for operating a vehicle while intoxicated involving a fatality .

Indiana State Police confirmed that troopers were dispatched to the scene at approximately 5:15 p.m. on Saturday. The incident occurred in the northbound lanes of I-65 at the 253.6 mile-marker, directly beneath the 73rd Avenue overpass . The severity of the crash prompted an immediate large-scale emergency response and shut down portions of the highway as first responders worked to extricate victims and investigate the scene.

The Victims: A Fatal Outcome and Critical Injuries

The Lake County Coroner’s Office has officially identified the deceased driver as William Binkley, 60, of Waukegan, Illinois . Binkley was operating a retired school bus that had been converted into a recreational vehicle. According to the coroner’s preliminary report, Binkley succumbed to multiple blunt force injuries sustained during the violent collision and was pronounced dead at the scene .

Adding to the tragedy, a passenger traveling inside the converted bus/RV with Binkley sustained life-threatening injuries. Given the severity of their condition, medical personnel on the scene requested an emergency airlift. The passenger was transported via UCAN (University of Chicago Aeromedical Network) to the University of Chicago Hospital, where they remain in critical condition . As of Sunday evening, authorities have not released the identity of the injured passenger, pending family notifications.

Miraculously, the driver of the third vehicle involved—an SUV—emerged from the wreckage without serious physical injury, according to police reports .

The Crash: A Violent Impact Under the Overpass

Preliminary investigations by Indiana State Police reconstructionists indicate that the retired school bus, which was actively towing a passenger vehicle behind it, struck the bridge support for the 73rd Avenue overpass . The force of the impact was catastrophic, causing significant front-end damage to the bus/RV and resulting in the fatal injuries to the driver.

The crash involved three distinct vehicles: a standard SUV, a pickup truck driven by the suspect, and the converted yellow bus that was functioning as an RV . Investigators are currently working to determine the exact sequence of events that led to the bus veering into the concrete bridge structure, though early evidence suggests the collision may have been triggered by an initial impact between the pickup truck and the bus/RV.

Suspect Apprehended: David K. Rodgers Faces OWI Charges

During the initial investigation at the chaotic scene, troopers turned their attention to the driver of the pickup truck. That driver has been identified as David K. Rodgers, 48, of Gary, Indiana .

According to the Indiana State Police report, Rodgers displayed overt signs of alcohol impairment while troopers were conducting their preliminary interviews and observations. When troopers initiated a formal Operating While Intoxicated (OWI) investigation, the situation escalated. Police allege that Rodgers became uncooperative and combative, actively resisting troopers’ commands .

Due to his behavior and the nature of the crash involving a fatality, Rodgers was physically taken into custody at the scene. He was subsequently transported to a local hospital. At the medical facility, Indiana State Police investigators obtained and executed a search warrant to draw Rodgers’ blood for chemical analysis . These toxicology results are currently pending and will play a crucial role in determining the exact level of impairment, if any, at the time of the crash.

Following the medical clearance and blood draw procedure, Rodgers was booked into the Lake County Jail. He is currently being held on a probable cause hold for Operating While Intoxicated involving a fatality . Formal charges are expected to be filed by the Lake County Prosecutor’s Office pending the completion of the investigation and the return of toxicology results.

Ongoing Investigation and Call for Witnesses

Indiana State Police have emphasized that this crash remains an active and ongoing investigation. Crash reconstruction teams are meticulously analyzing the scene data, vehicle black boxes (if equipped), and physical evidence to piece together the exact moments leading up to the tragedy .

Given the complexity of a multi-vehicle fatal crash on a major interstate, authorities are turning to the public for assistance. Investigators are specifically looking for any motorists who may have witnessed the crash or the erratic driving behavior of any vehicle involved in the moments prior to the 5:15 p.m. incident.

“Anyone who witnessed the crash or has dash camera footage of the events leading up to the crash is asked to contact investigating authorities,” the Indiana State Police stated in a press release .

Those with information or video evidence are urged to contact Trooper Hathaway directly at 219-696-6242 . Even small details or short video clips could prove vital in helping investigators understand the dynamics of the crash.

Legal Implications and Community Impact

The arrest of David K. Rodgers on a probable cause hold for OWI involving a fatality signals the serious nature of the charges he may face. Under Indiana law, operating while intoxicated resulting in death is a Level 4 felony, carrying a potential prison sentence of 2 to 12 years, along with significant fines and license suspension. If Rodgers is formally charged and convicted, the sentence could be enhanced depending on his blood alcohol content at the time of the crash or if he has prior offenses.

The crash has sent ripples through the communities of both Waukegan and Gary. For the family of William Binkley, the loss is immeasurable. Described as a resident of Waukegan, his death serves as a stark reminder of the dangers present on Indiana highways.

As the northbound lanes of I-65 near the 73rd Avenue overpass return to normal traffic flow, the memory of Saturday evening’s violence lingers. The physical scars on the bridge support stand as a silent testament to the force of the impact, while the emotional scars on the families involved will take much longer to heal.

Authorities have stated that additional information will be released as the investigation progresses, particularly once toxicology results are returned and formal charges are filed against Rodgers . Until then, the Indiana State Police continue their meticulous work to ensure that justice is served for William Binkley and the other victim currently fighting for their life in a Chicago hospital.