Lowell (Lake County) -- On 10/3/2016 at approximately 1:14 a.m. a vehicle struck a man changing a flat tire on I-65 at mile marker 243. This is 3 miles north of the State Road 2 exit to Lowell/Hebron. Preliminary investigation by Trooper William Stancy revealed that a 2012 Ford Focus driven by Atanas Z. Popov, 58, of Hobart, IN was southbound on I-65 at the 243 mile marker. A 2000 Oldsmobile Alero was parked on the right shoulder with its emergency hazards flashing. The driver of the Alero was standing outside of the vehicle and attempting to change a flat tire that was on the front driver's side of the Alero. For unknown reasons the Ford Focus drifted over the fog line and sideswiped the Alero and also struck the man kneeling down changing the flat tire.
Upon arrival at the scene, Troopers spoke to a female subject that was walking away from the scene. It was later determined that she was a passenger in the Alero at the time of the crash. She was uninjured however she was uncooperative as Troopers initially believed she may have been the driver of the Alero. Further questioning of the female revealed that she was looking for the driver of the Alero that was changing the tire and she couldn't find him. Troopers then located the driver approximately 150 feet from the vehicle. He was deceased. The deceased was identifeld as Gregory G. Davis, 55, of Gary, IN. Family has been notified by the Lake County Coroner.
Agencies assisting: Lake County Coroner, Midnight Blue Towing, Trooper Jason Pratt, Trail Creek EMS
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M/Trooper Glen Fifield
Indiana State Police
District #13
