**UDATED INFORMATION**

 The circumstances surrounding the fatal vehicle crash that occurred early this afternoon on the I-80/90 Toll Road (as outlined in the original release below) remain under investigation, however the following information has being made available for release.

Trooper Brandon Johnson's (Toll Road Post) preliminary investigation revealed that at at approximately 1:30pm today, a 2020 International semi-tractor trailer operated by 33yr old Michel Menard, of Crete, Illinois, became disabled and was parked on the right shoulder of the Toll Road at the westbound 115 mile marker.  A silver 2013 Ford pickup truck operated by 16yr old Patrick J. Denison of Gaylord, Michigan, was traveling westbound approaching the disabled semi-tractor/trailer.  For an unknown reason, Denison's pickup truck veered over onto the right shoulder and crashed into the rear of the disabled semi-trailer.

As a result of the crash, Denison was ejected from his pickup truck and sustained critical injuries.  He was airlifted by Samaritan to Parkview Regional Medical Center in Fort Wayne, last listed in serious but stable condition.  The passenger in Denison's truck, 58 year old Brian K. Ziemba, a resident of Troy, Michigan, was fatally injured during the crash.  He was pronounced dead at the scene by the LaGrange County Coroner.  Notifications have been made and condolences sent to the Ziemba family. The driver of the tractor trailer sustained a minor head injury. He was transported by Parkview EMS to Parkview in LaGrange County for evaluation. 

Due to the amount of damage sustained to Denison's vehicle, it is unknown whether seatbelts were in use, however their was airbag deployment.  Menard was not restrained at the time, as his vehicle was parked.

Trooper Johnson was assisted at the scene by numerous Troopers from both the Toll Road and Fort Wayne Posts, Fire/Rescue personnel from the Shipshewana Fire Department, Parkview LaGrange EMS, Parkview Samaritan flight crew, and Miller's Wrecker Service.

This crash investigation is ongoing.  There is no other information to release at this time.

                                                                                                                   -Walker

                                                                 -30-

Indiana State Police Investigating Fatal Toll Road Crash

(LaGrange County, IN)- Troopers from the Indiana State Police Toll Road Post and Fort Wayne Post are currently on scene investigating a fatal vehicle crash on the I-80/90 Toll Road, westbound at the 115mm.  As a result of this crash, the westbound lanes have been shutdown, with westbound traffic being detoured at the 121mm exit (SR9) near Howe, IN.  The eastbound lanes are open, however traffic backup is lengthy and moving slowly.  Motorists are encouraged to avoid this area if at all possible.

*This is only a preliminary release of information.  A detailed news release will follow later this evening.

Troopers on scene are reporting that a silver Ford pickup truck traveling westbound, crashed into the rear of a semi-tractor/trailer that was disabled on the right shoulder at the 115mm.  A passenger in the pickup truck has been confirmed deceased by the LaGrange County Coroner who is on scene.  The driver of the pickup truck has been flown by Samaritan helicopter to a hospital in Fort Wayne; the driver's medical condition is unknown.  The driver of the semi-truck has been taken to a local area hospital. No identifications of drivers or passengers are available for release at this time.

There is no further information to release at this time. 

                                                                                                                      -Walker

-30-