Around 1:30 a.m., a black Honda Ridgeline pickup got onto I-80 eastbound at an unknown location and was traveling west, an Indiana State Police news release said.
A red 2011 Freightliner pulling a box trailer, driven by a 41-year-old man from Maryland, was in the right center lane of the four-lane interstate when a semi in front of him swerved suddenly. The Freightliner semi then hit the pickup head on, the release said.
The driver of the pickup was pronounced dead at the scene by a deputy from the Lake County Coroner's Office. The driver has been identified as Timothy J. Leib, 35, of Hobart, Indiana. Family has been notified, the release said.
The Freightliner was loaded with approximately 41,000 pounds of food products headed to Pennsylvania. The semi sustained heavy front tractor damage. No load was lost, and the driver was not injured, the release said.
Alcohol may have been a factor; toxicology is pending, Indiana State Police said.
All lanes of traffic were reopened at approximately 4:30 a.m.
