(LAGRANGE COUNTY) – A crash on the Indiana Toll Road claimed the life of a New Jersey man.

Indiana State Police say at 8:45 PM Thursday they were called to a crash involving two commercial vehicles near the 116 mile marker in LaGrange County. They found a 2011 Freightliner straight truck that had crashed into the rear of a white 2002 Freightliner semi-tractor in the westbound lanes.

Troopers determined that there was a traffic backup in the westbound lanes due to a lane closure at the 114 mile marker. They say that 55 year old John Hairston of Tennessee was the driver of the lead semi, and was stopped in the right lane because of the back up. The second semi, driven by 40 year old David Sabanadze of Elmwood Parks, New Jersey, was unable to stop or take evasive action, and struck Hairston's semi at full speed.

Due to the extensive front end damage, Sabanadze was trapped in his semi and it took first responders a long time to get him free. He succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.

Witnesses told troopers that Sabanadze's truck did not use his brakes and there were no skid marks at the crash site. Sabanadze was not wearing a seatbelt.

Hairston did not appear injured, but was taken by ambulance to Parkview LaGrange Hospital for evaluation.

It's not known if there was a medical episode, fatigue, chemical substance impairment or driver distraction that may have contributed to this crash.

Assisting at the scene were the Howe Fire Department, Parkview LaGrange EMS and the LaGrange County Coroner's Office. The incident is still under investigation.