ISP investigating toll road crash that killed a tow truck driver

LAGRANGE COUNTY, Ind. -- Indiana State Police are investigating a fatal crash on the Indiana Toll Road this morning that claimed the life of a tow truck driver who was on the scene of a diesel spill near mile marker 114.2.

ISP Trooper George Youpel says around 9:40 a.m. crews were at the location removing a semi-truck that had crashed into the median earlier in the morning and spilled its haul of diesel.

While crews were working to clear the scene, 31-year-old Umidjon Abduazizov of Brooklyn, N.Y., was driving a 2021 white Dodge Ram towing an enclosed trailer eastbound when he lost control.

"The Dodge went through the median and sideswiped the tow truck that was parked on the inside shoulder of westbound lanes," police said. "After hitting the tow truck, the Dodge continued eastbound in the median, striking the tow truck driver and the semi from the earlier crash."

The tow truck driver, identified by ISP as 63-year-old Martin Troyer of Sturgis, was pronounced dead at the scene.

ISP says a worker with the company cleaning the diesel spill also received injuries that are not believed to be life-threatening. The crash caused the enclosed trailer to separate from the Dodge pulling it.

Neither drugs or alcohol are believed to have been a factor in the crash, but police say speed too fast for conditions did play a role.

Once the investigation is concluded, all information will be given to the LaGrange County Prosecutor’s Office to decide if any charges will be filed.