Serious crash on I-80 closes lane, one confirmed dead

St. JOSEPH COUNTY, Ind. – A crash on I-80 on the 74.8-mile marker, about two miles west of the Notre Dame exit, has killed one and has one westbound lane closed, according to Indiana State Police.

Just before 10 am troopers responded to a fatal crash involving two cars and a semi-truck.

Upon investigation, troopers learned that a silver 2016 Hyundai was traveling eastbound in the passing lane near mile marker 74.8. A red passenger car began to allegedly pass into the right lane, causing a collision, troopers said.

The crash caused both vehicles to travel through the center median into the westbound lane. The cars allegedly collided with a maroon 2021 Freightliner semi-truck that was traveling westbound, troopers said.

The crash with the semi pushed the Hyundai into the center median, according to the report.

The red passenger car was pushed into the right shoulder and then caught fire, troopers said.

The driver of the red passenger car, who police identified as 75-year-old Terry Hiestand of Chesterton, was ejected from the vehicle and was pronounced dead at the scene, according to troopers.

The report said that a seatbelt was allegedly not worn by the driver of the red passenger car.

According to Sgt. Ted Bohner, the drivers of the semi-truck and Hyundai had no injuries.

Alcohol or drugs are not suspected in the crash, troopers said. This is an ongoing investigation.

Drivers should expect delays as crews work to clear the scene. It is not clear how it might take until traffic clears up.