PORTER CO. – A 36-year-old man from St. Charles, Missouri, died today after running into eastbound traffic on the Indiana Toll Road and being struck by a semi-truck. The incident occurred near mile marker 32, approximately one mile east of the Valparaiso/Chesterton exit.
According to a preliminary investigation by Trooper Aron Weller of the Indiana State Police, authorities were alerted at approximately 12:42 p.m. on July 24, 2025, to reports of a man running in and out of traffic on the Toll Road.
Upon arrival, Trooper Weller observed the man walking on the inside shoulder of the eastbound lanes near mile marker 32.1. Trooper Weller stopped his police vehicle and began to speak with the individual. After a brief conversation, the man reportedly ran into the eastbound lanes of traffic and was hit by a gray 2019 Volvo semi, which was traveling in the far-right lane.
Trooper Weller immediately rendered aid to the man, who became combative during the attempt. Porter County EMS arrived at the scene and transported the injured man to a parking lot off the Valparaiso/Chesterton exit, where he was to be airlifted to a nearby hospital. Tragically, the man was pronounced deceased upon arrival at the hospital.
The driver of the semi-truck, a 34-year-old from Pikesville, Maryland, remained at the scene and fully cooperated with the ongoing investigation.
Authorities located a vehicle believed to belong to the deceased male approximately a half mile west of where he was found walking.
Eastbound lanes of the Indiana Toll Road were closed at approximately 3:54 p.m. to facilitate crash reconstruction efforts. Traffic was diverted at the Valparaiso/Chesterton exit until the eastbound lanes were reopened at approximately 4:47 p.m.
The investigation into the incident is ongoing.
