Investigators have identified the man who died Friday in a fiery crash on U.S. Highway 12 in Portage.

A spokesperson for Porter County Coroner Vicki Deppe identified the victim as Lorenzo Washington, 24, of Gary.

An autopsy was conducted but the cause of death has not officially determined yet, the spokesperson said.

According to police, at 1:43 a.m. Washington was traveling at a high rate of speed eastbound on U.S. 12 when he veered right and crashed into the west concrete support wall of the U.S. Steel Highway Bridge. The vehicle then burst into flames and both Washington and the vehicle were burned beyond recognition, police said.

An inspection of the bridge determined it to be safe, police added.

Posted 10/19/2009