(La Porte County, IN) - A pedestrian killed by a hit-and-run vehicle on Monday near Westville has been identified as homeless.

 

Keith Eastwood, 67, was hit on U.S. 6 just west of the town limits.  His body was discovered by a motorist at about 6 a.m. between the westbound lane and a ditch, according to La Porte County Police.

 

“Judging by the condition and temperature of the body, he had not been dead for very long,”  said La Porte County Coroner Lynn Swanson.

 

Swanson said the investigation showed Eastwood stayed off and on with friends in Hobart.

 

In March, she said Eastwood went to a hospital in Elkhart to have a head injury looked at following an apparent accident of some sort.

 

“He kind of just traveled around wherever he could get rides,” she said.

 

Swanson said a sister living in Chesterton revealed he was homeless for quite some time and an alcoholic, who turned down offers of help.

 

“He just wanted to live his life the way he had been living it,” she said.

 

Swanson said a blood test was taken to determine if he had any alcohol or drugs in his system but the results won’t be known for a couple of weeks.

 

La Porte County Police Capt. Derek Allen said efforts were still being made to try and identify the driver.

 

Anyone who may have been traveling on U.S. 6 prior to 6 a.m. and has further information or residents with video surveillance systems in the area are encouraged to contact Chief of Detectives Capt. Andy Hynek at (219) 326-7700 extension 2401 or at ahynek@lcso.in.gov.