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Indiana State Police-Lowell District 13-Lowell, IN
Thursday February 9th, 2017 :: 03:34 p.m. EST

Community

Minnesota Man Dies on Indiana Toll Road

Porter County-A Minnesota man died, this morning, when he may have experienced a medical emergency which caused him to lose control of his semi and crash.
 
Preliminary investigation by Sergeant Nora Werner revealed that at approximately 11:45 a.m., this Thursday, February 9th, 2017 morning, a Kenworth semi-tractor pulling a box trailer, owned by Nordic Beagle Express out of Foley, Minnesota, was west bound on the Indiana Toll Road when it went off the roadway.  The driver, John A. James, 57 of Foley. Minnesota, may have experienced a medical emergency, which caused him to lose control of the semi.  The semi went off the roadway to the left, through the grassy median, across both east bound lanes, through a guard rail on the south side, down an embankment, and came to rest up against some trees. 
 
Trooper O’Bryan Winfield arrived and began chest compressions on James until emergency medical personnel arrived.  James was pronounced dead at the scene by the Porter County Coroner. An autopsy will be scheduled.
 
A family member was in the semi when the incident occurred.  Family has been notified.
 
The semi was empty and stayed upright.
 
The right lane was closed for investigation of the crash, removal of the deceased and semi.
 
Assisting: Liberty Township Fire Department, Porter EMS, Precision Towing, Porter County Coroner, Troopers O’Bryan Winfield, Tim McCormick, Taylor Bryant, Floyd Archie and Glenn Katayama
 
               
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 is of the crash scene and semi

Address/Location
Indiana State Police-Lowell District 13-Lowell, IN
1550 East 181st Avenue
Lowell, IN 46356

Contact
Emergency: 9-1-1
Non-emergencies: 219-696-6242

Ann Wojas
Public Information Office
[email protected]
219-696-6242

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