PINOLA, Ind. (AP) — A coroner says a man who died in a collision with an Amtrak train had a blood alcohol level that was seven times the legal limit to drive in Indiana.

LaPorte County Chief Deputy Coroner John Sullivan says the man’s blood alcohol content of 0.602 percent is the highest he has ever recorded in his 15 years on the job. People can be charged with drunken driving if the level is 0.08 percent or higher.

Sullivan said 28-year-old Michael Garner of Westville died Saturday night of massive trauma when his pickup truck was struck by the train at a crossing about halfway between Gary and South Bend.

Sullivan said the impact cut the pickup truck in half and threw Garner’s body 100 feet.

Posted 12/18/2007