An accident on U.S.
30 Thursday claimed the life of a Valparaiso man.
Porter County
Sheriff’s Officers responded to the crash at US 30 and CR 575 E in
Washington Township at approximately 2:56 pm.
Police said Initial
investigation indicates a red 2000 Jeep Cherokee was traveling southbound on
CR 575 East. For unknown reasons, the driver of the vehicle, 65 year old Lee
Witters of Valparaiso, proceeded through the intersection and was struck on
the driver’s side by a black 2017 Ford F150 traveling westbound on US 30 in
the left passing lane.
The driver of the
F150, 35 year old Jacob Dammarell of Valparaiso, was unable to avoid the
collision.
Both vehicles came
to rest on the south side of US 30 in the eastbound lanes.
The eastbound lanes
of US 30 were shut down from CR 450 East to CR 575 East for several hours
while the Porter County Accident Reconstruction team completed investigation
and clean-up of the scene.
The driver of the
Jeep, Lee Witters was pronounced dead at the scene.
The driver of the
F150, Jacob Dammerell, was transported to Porter Regional Hospital with
minor injuries.
Assisting at the
scene were Washington Township Fire Department, Porter EMS, State Highway,
Porter County Coroner’s Office and Green’s Towing. Toxicology results are
pending as standard procedure.