(Portage) - An auto accident involving a Michigan City man backed up traffic for three hours on I-94 Friday afternoon.

It happened near Portage. State Police report an eastbound 2001 Nissan Pathfinder careened off the interstate just before 5 pm. It struck a tree head-on.

The vehicle's passenger was airlifted to the University of Chicago Hospital . The driver, 31-year-old Nathan Darling of Michigan City, was cited for driving with a suspended license. He was taken to Porter Hospital for treatment. Toxicology results are pending.