Police: One dead after three-car wreck caused by sneezing fit

One person died late Friday afternoon in a three-vehicle crash in Liberty Township that police said was caused by a driver having a sneezing fit.

David Klemp, 61, of Valparaiso, died at the scene, according to the Porter County Sheriff’s Department.

The wreck occurred just after 5 p.m. on U.S. 6 between Indiana 149 and County Road 200 West in front of Arbor View Animal Hospital, according to a release from the Liberty Township Volunteer Fire Department posted on the department’s Facebook page.

A driver told police he was traveling west on U.S. 6 when he had a sneezing fit, causing him to sneeze three times. He told police he did not realize a second vehicle was stopped in traffic and struck the rear of that vehicle.

The second driver told police he was westbound on U.S. 6 as well and was stopped waiting on a vehicle to turn left into the animal hospital when his vehicle was struck from behind by the first vehicle.

That, the driver told police, pushed his car into the path of an eastbound vehicle, which police said was driven by Klemp.

Police said the first driver, who had the sneezing fit, did not show signs of impairment and consented to a portable breath test, which showed no alcohol in his system.

As Liberty Township firefighters were responding to the crash, a Portage ambulance was en route back to the city from the hospital when the call came out and were able to render aid, according to the fire department.

Two vehicles were left heavily damaged and disabled in the roadway and a third vehicle left heavily damaged in the ditch along U.S. 6.

Additional fire resources were called to the scene, according to the fire department, and extrication was needed for Klemp, who was trapped.

The occupants of the other vehicles were treated on scene and declined further medical treatment.

The crash remains under investigation by the Porter County Sheriff’s Department.

alavalley@chicagotribune.com