California man struck, killed on I-70

Brazil man charged with DUI causing death, other crimes

CLOVERDALE — A 66-year old Sacramento, Calif. man was killed Monday on Interstate 70 while securing his roadside warning devices, following repairs made to his disabled truck, by a roadside repair company.

A Brazil man is in police custody and preliminarily charged with multiple felonies for his role in the crash.

Indiana State Police investigators received information regarding a 2009 Chrysler van that was driving recklessly on I-70. 911 dispatchers had received numerous calls on the van starting at the 56-mile marker, advising that the vehicle was and driving recklessly in and out of traffic.

Troopers were en route in an attempt to locate the van.

Freddie L. Smith, 66, of Sacramento, was securing his roadside warning devices when the Chrysler van drove off the roadway and across the white line, striking Smith.

Despite life-saving efforts by responding emergency personnel, Smith was pronounced dead at the scene. His family has been notified.

According to reports from the Putnam County Sheriff’s Department, the van continued after striking Smith and his truck. However, other citizens were able to block his path and take his keys and identification, keeping him at the scene until police arrived.

Brian Rosano

The driver of the van was identified as Brian P. Rosano, 42, of Brazil.

Rosano was transported to Putnam County Hospital for minor injuries sustained from the accident. Rosano also submitted to a blood draw for drugs and alcohol, as this is standard protocol with all fatal crashes.

Upon receiving the results of the certified test, Indiana State Police discovered that Rosano was under the influence of a controlled substance. Once Rosano is cleared medically, he will be taken into custody and transported to the Putnam County Jail.

He was preliminarily charged with five crimes: Level 5 felony driving under the influence of a controlled substance causing death, Class A misdemeanor driving while intoxicated endangering others, Class C misdemeanor driving under the influence of a controlled substance, Level 6 felony possession of a syringe and Class A misdemeanor possession of paraphernalia.

Trooper Courtland Woodruff investigated the accident, assisted by the Indiana State Police reconstruction team of Trooper Tim Radar and Ted Robertson.

Assisting Agencies included Putnam County Sheriff’s Department, Cloverdale Police Department, Cloverdale Volunteer Fire Department, Putnam County Coroner’s Office, Indiana Department of Transportation and Curtis Wrecker Service.