Lowell man killed while working on Indiana Toll Road
Post-Tribune staff report August 15, 2012 5:30PM
Updated: September 17, 2012 1:04PM
A Lowell man was killed Wednesday when he was struck by a tractor-trailer while working on the Indiana Toll Road.
Around 12:55 p.m., Chad Fleager, 34, was outside his vehicle, on the entrance ramp next to the right lane in the westbound lanes near the Michigan City exit. Fleager, who worked for RoadSafe Traffic Systems, was doing premeasurements for roadwork.
James B. Payton, 60, of Calumet City, Ill., was driving in the right lane when he veered to the right as he looked across the interstate at the truck parking lot. The tractor-trailer struck Fleager as he stood on the ramp.
Fleager was airlifted to Memorial Hospital in South Bend, after suffering massive blunt force trauma injuries. He was pronounced dead at the hospital two hours later.
The westbound right lanes were closed for approximately 3 hours for medical response, helicopter landing, and reconstruction and crash investigation.
