From the Indiana State Police
Indiana State Police Master Trooper Todd LaBonne responded to a crash, this
morning, on I-90 (Toll Road) where a maintenance worker was killed in a
crash.
Preliminary investigation revealed that Toll Road radio dispatch had
received a call about a speeding erratic driver west bound on the Toll Road
and dispatched that information out when minutes later, at approximately
11:30 EST) the same vehicle, a red 2005 Hyundai Santa Fe, hit the rear of a
maintenance pick-up.
The Ford pick-up, driven by Kevin Standefer, 49 of LaPorte, was parked on
the inner shoulder west bound at the 39.8 mile marker (this is just east of
the Michigan City exit). The pick-up had warning lights and a lit arrow
board activated on it. There was also signage behind the pick-up warning
west bound traffic of workers working up ahead. Daniel J. Miller, 52 of
LaPorte, a passenger in the pick-up had just exited the truck to get
trimming equipment out of the back when the Santa Fe hit Miller and the rear
of the pick-up.
Miller was pronounced dead at the scene by the LaPorte County Coroner
(family notified). Standefer was taken to Saint Anthony’s Hospital in
Michigan City with non-life threatening injuries. Miller was a
seventeen-year employee and Standefer a twelve-year employee with the Toll
Road; both worked for the LaPorte District Maintenance Area 2.
The driver of the Santa Fe was airlifted from the scene and taken to South
Bend Memorial where he died from his injuries.
The driver has been identified as Paul A. Kimbrugh, 78 of Coldwater,
Michigan and Cape Coral, Florida.
Both vehicles were totaled. The road west bound was closed for approximately
two hours for reconstruction of the crash, airlifting of the driver, removal
of the deceased and vehicles, and clean-up of the roadway.
Agencies assisting: LaPorte County Coroner, LaPorte EMS, Westville Fire
Department, Coolspring Fire Department and LaPorte County Sheriff
Department.
The Indiana State Police reminds drivers that Indiana Law requires motorists
to move over and or slow down when approaching an emergency vehicle, or a
highway maintenance vehicle, on two or four lane roadways when they have
emergency lights flashing.
Motorists MUST change lanes away from the emergency or highway
maintenance vehicle if they can do so SAFELY; If not they must
SLOW DOWN and proceed with caution. We are asking motorists NOT TO
STOP in the roadway, but to SLOW DOWN and/or MOVE OVER.
Indiana emergency and highway maintenance vehicles include:
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