One Dead After Crash On I-94 in Porter County
On March 4, 2024, at approximately 7:19 PM, Indiana State Police Region One Dispatch sent troopers to an injury involved crash at the 31.6 mile-marker, eastbound lanes of I-94, in Porter County. This location is approximately five miles east of S.R 49.
Indiana State Trooper Justin Baumeister responded and located a semi-truck in the right lane, and an SUV with heavy damage in the ditch off the right shoulder. Trooper Baumeister was told that the driver of the SUV was unresponsive and needed medical assistance. The driver, who was the only occupant of the SUV, was pinned in the vehicle. Trp. Baumeister attempted to render first aid; however, he was unable to locate a pulse. Paramedics and fire also arrived at the scene but were unable to revive the driver and the Porter County Coroner was contacted.
Preliminary investigation shows that the SUV, a 2015 Toyota Rav4, was traveling eastbound at a high rate of speed in the far-left lane. For unknown reasons, the SUV changed lanes all the way to the far-right lane. At the same time, a semi that had been parked on the right shoulder of the highway, was merging back into the right lane at a reduced speed when the SUV rear-ended the trailer of the semi-truck. The driver of the semi was not injured.
The deceased was identified as Timothy O’Hara, 41, of Porter
Indiana State Police Crash Reconstruction responded to the scene and is assisting in this investigation as well as the Indiana State Police Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division.
Assisting at the scene were the following: Pine Twp. Fire, Porter County EMS, Porter County Coroner, and Joe’s Towing.
