The Porter County Sheriff’s Police has released more information about the
morning rush-hour crash on U.S. Highway 20 on Tuesday.
According to police, at 7:20 a.m. Eric Keiser, 29, of Demotte, was eastbound
on U.S. 20 when he rear-ended a second vehicle stopped and waiting to turn
into Palko Distributing at 4991 E. U.S. 20. Keiser’s 2007 Toyota then slid
into a third vehicle, a semi-tractor trailer eastbound in the right lane of
U.S. 20, caromed off the semi, and crossed the center line into the
westbound lanes of traffic, where it was struck by a fourth vehicle.
Keiser suffered severe head trauma and was transported to St. Anthony’s
Health Care Center in Michigan City, then airlifted to Memorial Hospital in
South Bend, police said.
The driver of the second vehicle—stopped and waiting to turn left into Palko—was
Robert Huffstodt, 55, of Valparaiso. Huffstodt’s 1999 Pontiac was pushed off
the roadway by the initial impact and he was uninjured, police said.
The driver of the semi was Leo Lewis, 31, of Michigan City. Lewis complained
of back pain, police said.
The driver of the westbound vehicle which struck Keiser was Ann Dyra, 49, of
Lombard, Ill. Dyra suffered a fractured collar bone and internal injuries,
police said.
“Alcohol is not believed to be a factor in the crash but witness statements
indicate that Mr. Keiser was driving at an excessive speed prior to the
crash,” police said.
All lanes of U.S. 20 were closed for two hours.
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