(La Porte County, IN) - A 10-year-old boy died following a collision between a van and a semi-truck in southern La Porte County.

 

The accident happened late Friday morning on U.S 421 near Wanatah. According to La Porte County Police, the van was stopped for a wood chipper backing out of a driveway.

 

The semi-truck driver failed to see stopped traffic in time and struck the back end of the van.

 

The boy seated in the back seat of the van later died. Police said the four remaining passengers in the van were taken to hospitals by ground ambulance and medical helicopter.

 

The driver of the van was 30-year-old Christopher Lawson of La Porte. The names of the victim and the other injured individuals and their present condition were not released. However, police said another juvenile in the van sustained significant injuries.

 

Police said the 30 year old truck driver told investigators he observed traffic ahead slowing and stopping but didn’t realize it until it was too late to stop. As a result, U.S 421 was closed for three hours after the collision.