Iraq veteran killed in LaPorte County crash

Tribune Staff Report

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By SBT 24/7 News

Story Created: Dec 2, 2008 at 5:11 AM EST

Story Updated: Dec 2, 2008 at 8:51 AM EST

LAPORTE — Snow and alcohol were apparent factors in a single-vehicle crash Monday that killed a LaPorte man who fought in Iraq.

Benjamin McClanahan, 24, an Iraq war veteran, was identified with help from a tattoo of his military I.D. tags engraved on his abdomen, said John Sullivan, LaPorte County chief deputy coroner.

According to LaPorte County Police, McClanahan was northbound about 1:40 a.m. and veered off Indiana 39 to his right near County Road 400 South.

His pickup truck traveled 315 feet off the road and hit a rock-covered embankment in front of a residence. The vehicle then went airborne and came to rest on its side, police said.

Sullivan said McClanahan had a blood-alcohol level of 0.3 percent, nearly four times the legal limit in Indiana.

Sullivan said family members last saw McClanahan about 4 p.m. Sunday.

Sullivan said McClanahan was a lifelong resident of Wanatah who had recently moved to LaPorte.

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