Chesterton Tribune

 

 

Roadworker killed on I-94 in Porter; semi burns

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A roadworker was killed early this morning after being struck by a semi-tractor trailer on I-94 in Porter.

The Porter County Coroner’s Office has identified the victim as Ryan Greer, 38, of Knox. He was pronounced dead at the scene,

Porter Fire Chief Jay Craig gave this account of the accident. At approximately 1:58 a.m. Greer was standing outside his work vehicle in the eastbound lanes of I-94 when the semi either struck him directly or struck the work vehicle, which then hit him in turn. Greer was thrown some 100 feet by the impact, Craig said.

The semi then crashed into the median wall and burst into flames. The semi’s operator escaped injury but a second roadworker, still inside the work vehicle, was transported to hospital.

The PFD--assisted at the scene by the Burns Harbor and Chesterton FDs--used around 4,000 gallons to extinguish the blaze. The Washington Township Volunteer Fire Department was also dispatched, to prepare a landing zone for a medivac helicopter, but was subsequently disregarded, Craig said.

The PFD remained at the scene until 8 a.m., assisting the Coroner’s Office as well as standing by for a hazmat contractor to deal with a diesel spill.

Porter Police officers, meanwhile, were kept busy manning a detour, which directed motorists eastbound on I-94 to U.S. Highway 20 and then to Ind. 49.

 

Posted 5/22/2020

 

 

 

 
 
 
 

 

 

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