Man who ran out of gas on I-65 killed in hit-and-run, police say

RENSSELAER, Ind. (WLS) -- Indiana State Police are searching for a hit-and-run driver who fatally struck a Missouri man who had run out of gas early Friday morning.

State police received a report of a person walking along I-65 about three miles north of the Rensselaer/Remington exit around 5:28 a.m. Friday. Before they could arrive, they received two reports of a person lying on the side of the interstate.

State troopers located a man who appeared to have been hit near the 208 mile marker. The Jasper County coroner pronounced him dead at the scene of massive blunt force trauma.

The victim has been identified as Mark Tobiasz, 58, of Saint Charles, Mo. State police found Tobiasz' abandoned 2004 Honda Accord about a mile away. It had run out of gas.

Police said they recovered parts believed to be from a Kenworth or Freightliner semi-truck at the scene.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Indiana State Police Det. Sgt. Rick Strong at 219-696-6242.