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<p>Gary, Lake County-Just before midnight on Friday, September 2, 2016 a Good Samaritan reported a 2009 Honda went off the north side of the road into a ditch on I-80/94 west bound at the Grant Street exit. </p>
<p>Troopers Jason Pratt and Andy Rasala found the vehicle approximately thirty (30) feet from the roadway, up a small embankment, off the right/north side, into a water filled with thick brush ditch. Both troopers entered the water not knowing at the time it was waist deep to get to the Honda. There they discovered an unconscious and not breathing male in the driver’s seat.</p>
<p>They began CPR.</p>
<p>Because the water was too deep and murky to remove the driver, Troopers Pratt and Rasala continued CPR as the Honda was towed out. They continued their efforts until Gary Fire and EMS personnel arrived.</p>
<p>The fifty seven (57) year-old male from Merrillville was eventually pronounced deceased at the scene.</p>
<p>Family has been notified.</p>
<p>Preliminary investigation indicates there may have been a medical incident. There are no visible signs of trauma. Autopsy pending.</p>
<p>Assisting: Troopers Brandon Bohling, John Holmen, and Justin Hansen, Gary Fire and EMS, Lake County Coroner and Waffco Towing.</p>
<p>-30-</p>
<p><em>All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.</em></p>
