LAGRANGE CO. – The Indiana State Police is currently investigating a fatal vehicle crash that occurred on the I-80/90 Toll Road just before 10:00 p.m. Sunday in LaGrange County.
The preliminary investigation by Trooper Tyler Pinnington found that a 2021 Nissan passenger vehicle was traveling in the westbound lanes of the Toll Road near the 108-mile marker at a very slow rate of speed.
A 2019 Volvo semi-tractor/trailer, also traveling westbound, came up behind the Nissan passenger and crashed into the rear.
The impact caused the Nissan to travel across the center grass median and catch fire after coming to rest on the left shoulder of the eastbound lanes.
Motorists who witnessed the crash stopped to render assistance prior to law enforcement and fire-rescue personnel arriving, however, their efforts to approach the Nissan were hampered by the intense flames.
The single occupant driver of the Nissan was not able to escape the burning vehicle and subsequently perished inside the car.
The Lagrange County coroner was called to the scene to assist in the investigation. Identification of the deceased had not yet been determined at the time of this release.
The semi-driver was identified as Jafar Akhmedov, 44, of Warrington, Pennsylvania. Akhmedov was cooperating with investigators. He was transported to the Lagrange Hospital for chemical testing in accordance with Indiana law as a requirement for all drivers involved in a crash where serious bodily injury or death has occurred.
At this time there is no other information to be released. As soon as the Lagrange Coroner’s Office confirms the identity of the driver and makes a notification to the family, an update will be released.
The Indiana State Police was assisted at the scene by the Indiana State Police Crash Reconstruction Team, Lagrange County Sheriff’s Department, Middlebury Fire Department, Tom’s Towing, and Miller’s Towing.
