Chesterton man killed early Tuesday in Gary crash

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Updated: November 3, 2011 5:41PM

GARY — A 48-year-old Chesterton man died following a crash late Monday night at U.S. 20 and Alabama Street.

The Lake County Coroner’s office said Wayne D. Hernstrom, who lived in the 400 block of Westchester Boulevard, was pronounced dead at 12:15 a.m. Tuesday from blunt force trauma.

Gary Police Cpl. Agnes Roberts said the tanker, driven by Carlos Harris, of Portage, was eastbound on U.S. 20 and came to a complete stop at the CSX rail tracks, as prescribed by state law.

Roberts said Hernstrom’s Chevrolet Cobalt rear-ended the tanker, owned by Magnetics International of Burns Harbor.

“He was in the process of pulling away when the gentleman in the Chevy Cobalt rear-ended him,” said Roberts.

She said the tanker was carrying a full load. “We’re fortunate nothing ruptured,” she said.

Roberts said Hernstrom was alone in his car and was not wearing a seat belt. Toxicology tests were done and Roberts said police were awaiting the results.

Harris was not injured, Roberts said.