WARSAW, Ind. -- Warsaw police announced on Friday the driver of a semi-truck that crashed into the Texas Roadhouse restaurant on Thursday afternoon suffered a medical event and may have been dead before the collision. 

"Upon arrival, officers observed significant damage to the northeast side of the restaurant," Warsaw police said. "The driver of the semi was slumped over in the cab. He was moved to the ground where immediate life-saving measures were taken by officers, firefighters, and witnesses/bystanders."

Authorities say the initial investigation, coupled with eyewitness accounts, indicates the grain-hauling semi was heading south on S.R. 15 when the alleged medical event appears to have taken place.

"The driver was observed slumped at the wheel when the semi tractor-trailer veered to the right, driving off the road, into a deep ditch, then crossing over an access road from the adjacent shopping plaza," Warsaw police said. "Prior to impacting the restaurant, the semi struck a NIPSCO electrical box, which caused transformer oil to leak out in the parking lot."

Those on scene say CPR was given immediately and firefighters set up an AutoPulse, which was used on scene and during transport.

"Sadly, these life-saving measures did not have a positive outcome," authorities said. "The driver was pronounced dead by Kosciusko County Coroner Tyler Huffer at Lutheran Kosciusko Hospital a short time after transport."

The driver was identified as 77-year-old Lloyd Dale Howard of Culver. He was driving the truck for BL&A Enterprises, LLC out of Monterey. Authorities say he had finished a job in Milford and was heading home for the day, which is why the trailer was empty during the crash.

The restaurant was filled with over a dozen employees preparing to open for the evening when the semi plowed through the northeast side of the building. There were no reported injuries.

"Prior to Crouse Body Shop removing the semi from the building, NIPSCO made the scene to confirm it was safe to do so. They also contacted their Hazardous Materials team for the transformer oil that was strewn about the parking lot," authorities said. "Fire personnel had immediately taken measures to control that spill. Damage for this accident is estimated at over $100,000."