Massive pileup on I-94 kills 3, more than 20 hurt

MICHIGAN CITY, Ind. (AP) — A couple from Michigan and a man from Chicago were killed in a massive pileup on a snowy interstate in northwestern Indiana, authorities said today, as crews cleaned up after the 40-plus-vehicle wreck.

More than 20 people were injured, including one critically, in the crush of semitrailers and mangled passenger vehicles Thursday afternoon on the eastbound stretch of Interstate 94 connecting Chicago with Detroit.

At least one person was trapped in a vehicle for hours before authorities could come to the rescue, Indiana State Police said.

Snow and whiteout conditions were contributing factors, police said. A band of heavy lake-effect snow was dropping up to 2 inches of snow per hour with visibility at a quarter-mile or less at the time of the wreck, National Weather Service meteorologist Evan Bentley said. The wreck happened near Michigan City, about 60 miles from Chicago.

Thomas Wolma, 67, and his 65-year-old wife Marilyn, were killed in the crash, LaPorte County coroner John Sullivan said today. The Wolmas, of Grand Rapids, Mich., were returning home after taking care of a relative in Wisconsin when they were caught up in the massive crash, Sullivan said, citing the couple's son.

Sullivan said Jerry Dalrymple, 65, of Chicago, was killed in his car, along with his dog.