Medical Incident may be cause of I-94 Crash

Porter County--  On December 6, 2017 at approximately 1:00 p.m., Troopers were dispatched to a single vehicle crash on I-94 east bound at the 32 mile marker.  This is approximately 2 miles west of the Michigan City exit.  Preliminary investigation by Sgt. Dale Turner showed that a red 2012 Freightliner semi truck and trailer was eastbound on I-94 when for an unknown reason the truck drove off the right side of the road and went into the south ditch.  The truck remained upright and sustained minor damage.  When Troopers arrived at the scene, they immediately began to administer first aid to the driver, however he was unresponsive.  The driver, later identified as Howard Pruitt, 66, of Joliet, Illinois, was transported to Porter Regional Hospital; however, he is deceased.  His family has been notified.  It is believed that he may have suffered a medical incident prior to the crash as he did not suffer any significant injuries as a result of the crash.  An autopsy is scheduled for this morning to determine the exact cause of death.  The semi was being operated under the authority of Universal Transportation Services located in Eden Prairie, MN.  The contents of the trailer are unknown.

Assisting at the scene were the following:  Precision Towing, Trooper  the LaPorte County Sheriff's Department, Chesterton Fire Department, Porter and LaPorte EMS, and Hoosier Helpers.

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