Lloyd Dale Howard, 77, Culver, was found unresponsive after his semitractor/trailer struck the northwest corner of Texas Roadhouse. Despite life-saving measures, Howard was pronounced dead at Lutheran Kosciusko Hospital a short time later. The crash occurred at 2:46 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 8. Photo by Madison Hart.

News Release

WARSAW — Lloyd Dale Howard, 77, Culver, was pronounced dead at Lutheran Kosciusko Hospital after his semitractor struck Texas Roadhouse Thursday, Aug. 8.

At 2:46 p.m. Thursday, Warsaw Police and first responders were called to Texas Roadhouse, 700 W 300N, after a semitractor/trailer collided with the building and the driver was found unresponsive.

Upon arrival, officers observed significant damage to the northeast side of the restaurant. Howard, the driver, was found slumped over in the cab. He was moved to the ground where immediate life-saving measures were taken by officers, firefighters and witnesses/bystanders. CPR was utilized immediately until firefighters set up an AutoPulse, which was also used on scene and during transport. Despite life-saving measures Howard was pronounced dead at the hospital by Kosciusko County Coroner Tyler Huffer.

The initial investigation, coupled with eyewitness accounts, determined the semitractor/trailer, a grain hauler, was southbound on SR 15 and had traveled through the CR 350N intersection. Howard was observed slumped at the wheel, when the semitractor veered to the right, driving off the road, into a deep ditch. The semitractor then crossed over an access road from the adjacent shopping place. Prior to impacting the restaurant, the semitractor struck a NIPSCO electrical box, which caused transformer oil to leak out in the parking lot.

The interior of Texas Roadhouse was cleared for any potential injuries. While there were well over a dozen employees preparing for the work day, no one was injured. Damage was obvious along two sections of the interior wall of the restaurant.

Howard was operating a grain hauler for BL & A Enterprises LLC out of Monterey. He had finished a job in Milford and was returning home for the day. The trailer was empty at the time of of the accident.

Prior to employees with Crouse Body Shop removing the semitractor from the building, NIPSCO made the scene to confirm it was safe to do so. NIPSCO employees also contacted their hazardous materials team for the transformer oil that was strewn about the parking lot. Fire personnel had immediately taken measures to control the spill.

Damage for the accident is estimated at over $100,000.

Warsaw Police were assisted by the Indiana State Police, Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Office, Milford Police, Warsaw-Wayne Fire Territory, Lutheran EMS, NIPSCO, Crouse Body Shop and the Kosciusko County Coroner’s Office.