A LaPorte man was killed in a crash after the vehicle he was driving hit a tree.

The collision happened just after 5 p.m. CDT on Thursday, April 13, on County Road 450 North, according to the LaPorte County Sheriff’s Office.

Investigating deputies reported that a silver 2008 Cadillac was traveling west on CR 450 N when for unknown reasons the vehicle began to “fishtail” and left the south side of the roadway and struck a tree, the sheriff’s department reported.

There were more than 200 feet of skid marks left in the roadway prior to impact with the tree.

Speed and alcohol are believed to have been a factors in the crash, according to the sheriff’s department.

Investigators say the car was destroyed with the front end of the Cadillac breaking away from the rest of the vehicle.

Parts of the vehicle were found more than 250’ from the point of impact. Deputies believe that the force of the impact caused the seatbelt to break which led to the driver being ejected from the vehicle.

“I’ve never seen a single-vehicle crash with that much destruction” stated Sergeant Hannon.

A witness that was traveling in the opposite direction told investigating deputies that the vehicle crested a hill and was skidding out of control and was traveling at a high rate of speed prior to impact.

The driver was identified as 48-year-old Corey Lombard of LaPorte.

The LaPorte County Coroner’s Office determined that Lombard had a blood alcohol level of .09% which is slightly over the limit allowed by law to operate a motor vehicle.

Additional toxicology tests are pending.