This just in from the Indiana State Police: Indiana State Police Master Trooper Jim Burkhart investigated a crash, this morning, where a Portage man was seriously injured when his vehicle went airborne and then flipped onto a road below I-94.

At approximately 10:52 am, this morning, Nicholas R. Mills, 25 of Portage, driving a 2010 Toyota Camry, was west bound on I-94 near the 19.5 mile marker (this is just east of the Portage exit) when a witness stated that the Toyota was weaving from the right lane to the middle. The witness stated that the driver’s head was shaking from side to side. For unknown reasons the Toyota went off the roadway to the north, into the grass, behind the guard rail, and through a fence. It then went airborne for approximately seventy-five feet then nosed dived in at the curb to Jensen Road (Jensen Road is a north/south road that runs under I-94) in Portage. The Camry then flipped onto its top in the middle of Jensen Road.

Mills had to be extricated from the vehicle.

He was taken to Porter Hospital in Valparaiso with internal and possible head injuries. He was NOT wearing a seat belt. Alcohol WAS a factor in this crash.

It was later learned that Mills had been playing poker all night with friends.

Charges are pending.

Agencies assisting: Master Trooper Randy Palmer, Portage Police Department, Portage Fire/EMS Department, Portage Street Department and Waffco Towing.

Posted 9/28/2011