An early morning crash on the Indiana Toll Road closed all lanes east bound when a semi lost control, rolled over, and caught fire.
Preliminary investigation by Trooper Patrick Durham revealed that at approximately 3:00 a.m., (C.S.T.) a 2006 Volvo semi, owned by MGBR Logistics out of Broadview, Illinois was pulling a box trailer loaded with potatoes, driven by Andrzej J. Kudlacik, 31 of Streamwood, Illinois in the right lane of I-80/90 at the 40.6 mile marker (this is 1 ½ miles east of the Michigan City/US 421 exit on the Toll Road) when he said a deer ran out in front of his semi.
Kudlacik swerved to the left, went off the roadway and hit the concrete barrier wall with the left front of his semi, lost control and rolled onto its left side. Kudlacik was able to get out of the semi as it caught fire and became fully engulfed. Debris that was on fire was strewn across all lanes east bound and the grassy median also caught fire.
Westville Fire Department responded and was able to extinguish the fires.
Kudlacik was not injured and was wearing a seat belt. He was cited for Unsafe Lane Movement.
Traffic east bound was diverted off at the 39 mile marker (Michigan City/US 421) for approximately two hours. The left lane is open at this time.
Assisting: Trooper Mark Price, LaPorte County Sheriff’s Department, Westville Fire, LaPorte EMS, Sun Pro and Waffco Towing