A fiery crash claimed the life of a Granger man Monday morning near Hoffman Lake.
Joseph Youngbok Jo, 60, Granger, was killed after he drove his van into the path of a semi-tractor-trailer at the intersection of US 30 and CR 800W around 8:40 a.m. Monday.
According to the Kosciusko County Sheriff's Department, Jo was southbound on CR 800W when he pulled into the path of the westbound semi driven by Lawrence E. Bell, 72, of Constantine, Mich.
Jo's van was hit in the driver's side door and then got caught on the rear of the trailer before catching fire.
Several witnesses, including a federal Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms agent, saw the crash. The agent fought back the flames and pulled Jo from the van, but Jo was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash.
Bell suffered a minor injury to his hand and was treated and released.
The Kosciusko County crash investigation team is investigating the accident, but witnesses told police that Jo disregarded the stop sign and flashing red lights at the intersection.
The Etna Green Fire Department, Atwood Fire Department, Indiana State Police and Kosciusko County Sheriff's Department assisted at the scene of the crash.
