Man dies in Sunday morning I-70 crash

Monday, September 14, 2009
The Dodge Magnum belonging to Lawrence Teeters ran into the back of a semi-trailer Sunday morning. Teeters was pronounced dead at Putnam County Hospital.

CLOVERDALE -- At 9:25 a.m. Sunday, Indiana State Police responded to a two-vehicle crash on I-70 at the 33-mile marker in Putnam County.

Preliminary investigation revealed that Jose A. Melendez, 39, of New York, was driving a 2001 Freightliner semi-tractor pulling a box trailer east bound on I-70 at the 33-mile marker. The semi-tractor and trailer was operating at a reduced speed, traveling up a slight grade, with the hazard lights in operation.

Lawrence E. Teeters, 60, of Terre Haute, was operating a 2007 Dodge Magnum and for an unknown reason ran into the rear of the trailer.

Teeters was extracted from his vehicle and transported by Air Evac to Putnam County Hospital, where he was pronounced dead upon arrival. Melendez was not injured.

The weather was clear and road conditions were dry at the time of the crash.

Trooper John Myers, the investigating officer, stated no witnesses were present at the crash scene, and he is asking anyone who saw the crash or may have witnessed any unusual driving by either vehicle to call him at the Putnamville Post at 1-800-225-8576.

Assisting agencies were Putnam County Sheriff's Department, Cloverdale Fire, Air Evac Terre Haute and Operation Life EMS.

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