The driver of the semi tractor-trailer that crashed into Texas Roadhouse in Warsaw on Thursday was pronounced dead at the hospital shortly after being transported there.
He’s been identified as Lloyd Dale Howard, 77, Culver.
According to a news release provided by Warsaw Police Department Public Information Officer Capt. Brad Kellar, at approximately 2:46 p.m. Thursday, WPD responded with other first responders to the Texas Roadhouse, 700 W. CR 300N, regarding a semi tractor-trailer that had collided with the building and an unresponsive driver. Upon arrival, officers observed significant damage to the northeast side of the restaurant. The driver of the semi was slumped over in the cab. He was moved to the ground where immediate life-saving measures were taken by officers, firefighters and witnesses/bystanders.
Initial investigation, coupled with eyewitness accounts, determined that the semi, a grain hauler, was southbound on Ind. 15 through CR 350N. Howard was observed slumped at the wheel when the semi tractor-trailer veered to the right, driving off the road, into a deep ditch, then crossing over an access road from the adjacent shopping plaza, the release states. Prior to impacting the restaurant, the semi struck a NIPSCO electrical box, which caused transformer oil to leak out in the parking lot.
The interior of Texas Roadhouse was cleared for any potential injuries. While there were well over a dozen employees inside preparing for the workday, no one was injured, according to the release. Damage was obvious along two sections of the interior wall of the restaurant.
CPR was utilized immediately for the victim. Firefighters set up an AutoPulse, which was also used on scene and during transport. These life-saving measures did not have a positive outcome. Howard was pronounced dead by Kosciusko County Coroner Tyler Huffer at Lutheran Kosciusko Hospital a short time after transport.
Howard was operating a grain hauler for BL & A Enterprises LLC, out of Monterey. He had finished a job in Milford and was returning home for the day. The trailer was empty at the time of the accident.
Prior to Crouse Body Shop removing the semi from the building, NIPSCO made the scene to confirm it was safe to do so. They also contacted their Hazardous Materials team for the transformer oil that was strewn about the parking lot. Fire personnel had immediately taken measures to control that spill. Damage for this accident is estimated at over $100,000.
Warsaw Police were assisted by the Indiana State Police, Kosciusko County Sheriff's Office, Milford Police, Warsaw-Wayne Fire Territory, Lutheran EMS, NIPSCO, Crouse Body Shop and the Kosciusko County Coroner’s Office.