A Walkerton man lost his life in a La Porte County accident on Thursday afternoon.
According to the La Porte County Sheriff’s Department, 27-year-old Ric A. Henriott, of Walkerton, was driving south in the 7000 North block of State Road 39 and overtaking/passing other southbound traffic in a no passing zone. Crash report information released from the Sheriff’s Department states that a northbound semi-tractor trailer driven by 57-year-old Paul A. Michaud, of Temperance, Michigan, was unable to avoid a collision with Henriott while traveling through a long curve.
Henriott’s passenger vehicle left the roadway and came to rest in a ditch. As a result of the impact, Henriott was ejected from the vehicle and was pronounced dead at the scene, according to the report. Michaud was not injured. His semi left the roadway, drove through a lawn and came to rest against a tree.
The La Porte County Sheriff’s Department ruled out alcohol as a factor in the crash.
The roadway was closed for six hours to complete a crash reconstruction.
The La Porte County Sheriff’s Department was assisted at the scene by the Indiana State Police – Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division, Springfield Township Volunteer Fire Department, La Porte County EMS, and the La Porte County Coroner’s Office.
