Strong winds turned dangerous for truckers in La Porte County on Friday, with deputies investigating two additional commercial motor vehicle crashes that they say were caused by gusty conditions. One crash was reported on State Road 39 near Young Road, and the other on County Road 1500 South. Deputies on scene clocked sustained west winds around 34 mph, with gusts reaching up to 54 mph. Officials have not yet released details on any injuries or whether road closures remain in place.
According to the La Porte County Sheriff's Office, deputies described the wrecks as two wind-related commercial motor vehicle crashes on State Road 39 near Young Road and on County Road 1500 South. The agency noted the same wind readings that brought them out to the scenes and said deputies were on site actively investigating. That update remains the primary official source for the crash locations and wind data.
Storm reports and warnings
The numbers line up with recent storm reports in the region. The National Weather Service Northern Indiana released a March 10–11 summary detailing measured wind gusts and damage surveys across northwest Indiana, while local outlet WKVI reported severe thunderstorm warnings in parts of La Porte County, with gusts pushing close to 60 mph. Those alerts triggered emergency responses and road checks as the system swept through the area.
Why big rigs are vulnerable
High-profile commercial vehicles have huge side surfaces that can act like sails in strong crosswinds, especially when trailers are lightly loaded. All it takes is the right angle and enough wind, and a trailer can tip. A deadly illustration came during a March 2025 wind event in Valparaiso, when a semi-trailer was blown over and the driver was killed, according to NBC Chicago and subsequent surveys by the National Weather Service. Incidents like that are a big reason authorities treat high-wind advisories as a serious safety threat for commercial trucks on open stretches of highway.
Local context
State Road 39 is a rural connector that has seen its share of serious crashes in recent years, highlighting how quickly things can turn bad on fast-moving corridors when the weather goes south. Local coverage has detailed previous fatal and injury crashes in La Porte County along or near SR 39; for example, ABC57 has reported on earlier wrecks in the area. With open farmland and relatively few natural windbreaks, these routes can leave large vehicles especially exposed to crosswinds.
What motorists should know
Drivers in and around La Porte County should be ready for potential delays and give emergency crews plenty of space while deputies work the scenes and clear the roadways. For the latest on closures or traffic impacts, check state traffic resources and the La Porte County Sheriff's Office social media feeds, which remain the authoritative public updates on these crashes. This story will be updated as officials release more information.
