Trucker killed in Toll Road crash

JACKSON TOWNSHIP | A truck driver was killed when he drove off the Indiana Toll Road near County Road 250 East in Porter County and crashed into a ditch about 12:45 p.m. Thursday.

The trucker, a 55-year-old Ohio man, apparently didn't brake before leaving the road, leading authorities to believe he either fell asleep at the wheel or suffered a medical condition before crashing. An autopsy is scheduled for today to determine the cause of death.

Porter County Environmental Coordinator Russell Shirley, whose department was called to contain a spill of diesel fuel from the semi, said the semi, which was carrying a load of vehicles, traveled so far off the Toll Road it was barely visible from the roadway.

The crash was investigated by Indiana State Police. Joining them at the scene were Porter County environmental/hazmat personnel, Liberty Township firefighters, the Indiana Department of Environmental Management and Porter hospital EMS.

An environmental contractor arrived at the scene shortly before 4 p.m. to handle the cleanup.

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