Truckers have to be ready for just about anything on the highway, but this probably wasn’t on anyone’s list.
A New Jersey man was arrested after Indiana State Police say he attacked two semi trucks with an axe on Interstate 80 in Hammond, Indiana, before leading police on a pursuit.
According to a press release from Indiana State Police, the incident began at approximately 4:30 p.m. on Friday, September 11, when troopers were dispatched to eastbound I-80 near the Calumet Avenue overpass for a report of a man attacking a semi with an axe. When troopers arrived, they found a 2025 Freightliner tractor-trailer parked on the inside shoulder. The truck driver reportedly told troopers she had seen a black 2011 Volkswagen with Illinois registration driving erratically, brake-checking and cutting off other semis on eastbound I-80. The Volkswagen eventually stopped directly in front of her in lane two, forcing her to bring the Freightliner to a complete stop. The trucker told police that a barefoot man then got out of the Volkswagen, appeared angry and yelled incoherently. He got back into the Volkswagen and reversed, nearly hitting her truck, before getting out again.
This time, police say he was carrying a long-handled axe with a leather cover over the blade.
Then, the man struck the Freightliner’s grille with the axe, puncturing the radiator, and also struck the driver’s-side headlight. The trucker told police the man then began approaching her driver’s door. That’s when her four-legged co-driver made some noise. The trucker’s large dog began barking loudly inside the cab, which startled the axe-wielding attacker, making him return to his Volkswagen and leave the scene.
But his tirade wasn’t over yet…
About 10 minutes later, ISP received another 911 call reporting a similar incident on eastbound I-80 near the Cline Avenue overpass. According to police, the second trucker saw the Volkswagen traveling between lanes two and three at approximately 10 mph. The trucker attempted to change lanes to avoid the car, but the Volkswagen allegedly swerved in front of the semi and came to a complete stop. The driver told troopers that the man got out and struck the front of his 2023 Freightliner with the axe before driving away.
Finally, State Trooper Jordin Rosillo spotted the Volkswagen traveling eastbound on I-80. She activated her emergency lights and siren, which caused the attacker to go 16 mph to 80 and take off. Eventually, deputies were able to box in the speeding car and arrest the driver.
Indiana State Police identified the driver as 29-year-old Ivan Savych of New Jersey. Trooper Rosillo reported that Savych did not speak English and was uncooperative. Police also reported finding the long-handled axe with a leather cover inside the Volkswagen. Savych was transported to the Lake County Jail and was preliminarily charged with resisting law enforcement, a Level 6 felony, and two counts of criminal mischief, Class A misdemeanors.
Listen to the story here:
Brake-checking a semi is dangerous enough, but going at another driver with an axe is next level. Thankfully the first trucker’s dog may have prevented a more dangerous escalation. Just another reminder to always be careful with who you’re dealing with on the road.
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