1 Killed in Truck Accident on Columbia Avenue in Hammond, IN

Hammond, IN — February 25, 2025, one person was killed in a truck accident at about 8 a.m. on Columbia Avenue near Irving Park.

Authorities said a pedestrian was crossing the street in the crosswalk when he was hit by a delivery truck turning south off of Chicago Street.

The pedestrian, a 77-year-old man whose name has not been made public, died after the crash, according to authorities.

The truck driver was arrested, but no charges have been filed in relation to the accident at this time, authorities said.

Authorities have not released any additional information about the crash. The accident is still under investigation.

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

Crashes involving pedestrians in crosswalks almost always raise serious questions about driver attentiveness. In this case, reports indicate that a delivery truck hit a man while turning, which suggests the driver either failed to see the pedestrian or misjudged the timing of their turn. Either way, that points to a failure in situational awareness.

Commercial drivers are supposed to be trained to watch for pedestrians, especially in areas with crosswalks. Unlike sudden, unexpected jaywalking incidents, a person crossing in a marked crosswalk should be something a professional driver anticipates. That raises the question: Was the driver distracted? Were they in a hurry due to company delivery schedules? Did they check their blind spots before making the turn?

Beyond the driver’s actions, investigators should also look at the intersection itself. Were visibility issues — such as parked cars, poor signage or obstructed sightlines — contributing factors? Was the pedestrian clearly visible, or were there environmental conditions like glare or bad weather at play? These are details that need to be considered to determine whether the driver had enough time to react.

The fact that the truck driver was arrested but not yet charged is also worth noting. That suggests authorities saw something in their initial investigation that warranted further scrutiny. Whether that means reckless driving, distraction or some other contributing factor remains to be seen, but it’s a sign that there may be more to this crash than what’s been reported so far.

At the end of the day, professional drivers are held to a higher standard for a reason. Pedestrians using a crosswalk should never have to wonder if a turning truck is going to stop for them. Hopefully, investigators take a close look at all the factors involved, because if this crash was preventable, those responsible should be held accountable.