Hobart, Lake County-A construction worker was killed this morning when a driver lost control of her vehicle and went into the construction area and hit a worker.
Preliminary investigation by Master Trooper Lionel Douglas revealed at approximately 9:35 a.m., this Wednesday, October 12, 2016, morning, a 2013 GMC SUV, driven by Jasmine Tirado, 23, of Merrillville, was north bound on I-65 at the 257 mile marker (this approximately one mile south of the Ridge Road exit). Tirado moved from the left lane to the middle lane behind a semi, went to the right, hitting a construction barrel separating the construction area from I-65 north bound traffic. There is construction throughout this area, the right and outer shoulder are marked off with construction barrels and cones, as there are numerous informational signage to warn of the construction area. The construction on I-65 has been on-going since May 2016.
After striking the barrel she continued into the construction area where a worker was cutting a joint for a patch in the pavement with a concrete saw that was on a caddy. Tirado hit another barrel, struck the worker and throwing him into her windshield. The worker hit a 2016 Ford F-250 pick-up that was directly behind him and owned by the construction company. The worker came to rest approximately 100 feet in front of that pick-up.
The construction worker was pronounced dead at the scene of massive blunt force trauma by deputies with the Lake County Coroner’s Office.
The saw was dragged under the GMC and came to rest in the right and middle lanes. All lanes north bound were closed until approximately 11:50 a.m., when the left and middle lanes were reopened. Lanes were closed for reconstruction of the crash, removal of the deceased, and clean-up of the roadway.
Name of the deceased is being withheld pending notification to the family.
Assisting: Sergeant Dan Leslie, Master Troopers Lawrence McFarrin and Dwayne Halliburton, Hoosier Helpers, Hobart Fire, and Lake County Coroner
All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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Picture ##1 is of the GMC
Picture #2 is of the cutting saw
Picture #3 is of the scene
