Hammond, Lake County-An East Chicago man died, yesterday evening, when he hit a bridge support column head on with his vehicle.
Preliminary investigation by Trooper Eric Madry revealed, at approximately 7:30 p.m., Monday, January 30th, 2017, a 2002 Chevrolet Astro minivan, being driven by Jerry Armstrong, 53 of East Chicago was exiting to Cline Avenue from I-80/94 westbound.
The Astro van traveled off the ramp and struck a large round support column that supports the Cline Avenue overpass over I-80/94 head on. The vehicle came to rest against the support column.
Armstrong, who was the sole occupant, came to rest in the back seat and had to extricated. He was pronounced dead at the scene by a deputy with the Lake County Coroner’s office.
Family has been notified.
Indiana Department of Transportation inspected the support column and advised it was structurally fine.
Assisting: Troopers Brandon Alberts, Davonne Barlow, Jerry George, Paul Arnold, and Khari Walton. INDOT, Hammond Fire and EMS, Lake County Coroner’s office, and Bennies Towing
Picture is of the Astro van.
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All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
