LaPorte County-Earlier this afternoon, at approximately 4:03 pm (CST), Indiana State Police Trooper Glen Katayama responded to a fatal crash that occurred east bound on the Toll Road at the 51.9 mile marker (this is approximately two miles east of the State Road 39, LaPorte exit).

Preliminary investigation revealed that Nathan Kassahun, 39 of Chicago, Illinois, driver of a 2000 Kenworth semi was stopped in the right lane when a 2010 Honda CR-V for unknown reasons ran into the rear of the Kenworth’s box trailer. 

Traffic was stopped in this area for a semi that had gone into the median at the 53 milemarker and was being towed out.

The Honda went underneath the rear of the Kenworth’s trailer and the driver had to be extricated from the vehicle.  The driver was pronounced dead at the scene by the LaPorte County Coroner of massive blunt force trauma.

Kassahun was not injured and there was no load loss from the semi.

Family HAS been notified.  The driver has been identified as Leonard Daniel Ball III, 69 of Granger, Indiana.

All lanes eastbound were closed until 5:58 pm (CST) for reconstruction of the crash, removal of the deceased and vehicles, clean up of the roadway.

Agencies assisting:  Indiana State Police Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division, LaPorte County Sheriff’s Department, LaPorte County Coroner, and Indiana Toll Road Concession Company Maintenance.