Lake County-Indiana State Police Trooper Brian Rubesha responded to a crash, early this morning, at the 11.8 mile marker (this is approximately two miles east of the Broadway exit) where a driver going the wrong way on the interstate hit a semi head on and lost his life.

Preliminary investigation revealed that, at approximately 1:30 am, a black Honda Ridgeline pick-up, got onto I-80 east bound at an unknown location and was traveling west bound in the east bound lanes.

A red 2011 Freightliner pulling a box trailer, driven by Kevin J. Windsor, 41 of Lothian, Maryland, was in the right center lane (four lanes of traffic) when a semi in front of him swerved suddenly.  Windsor’s semi then hit the pick-up head on.

The driver of the pick-up was pronounced dead at the scene by a deputy from the Lake County Coroner’s Office.  The driver has been identified as Timothy J. Leib, 35 of Hobart, Indiana.  Family has been notified.

The freightliner, owned by Crete Carrier Corporation out of Lincoln Nebraska, was loaded with approximately 41,000 pounds of food product that was going to Pennsylvania.  The semi sustained heavy front tractor damage.  No load was loss. Windsor was not injured.

The pick-up was totaled. 

Alcohol MAY have been a factor; toxicology is pending.

All lanes of traffic were reopened at approximately 4:30 am.