One person was killed, and three others were injured, after two consecutive crashes along U.S. 20 Friday afternoon.

Officers with the La Porte County Sheriff’s Office were called to the first crash around 4:30 p.m. on U.S. 20 near County Road 200 East.

An investigation reveals a Ford was traveling eastbound on U.S. 20 when it rear-ended a Cadillac that was stopped in the passing lane waiting to turn left onto CR 200.

The Ford then drifted across the center of the road and into the oncoming lanes of traffic, where it struck the front of a Nissan driven by Brian Klingerman, 62 of Breman, according to ABC 57 News.

A Toyota, that was traveling behind the Nissan, struck the rear of the Nissan during the impact.

The driver of the Ford was pinned inside his truck and had to be extracted. He had a lower body injury and was taken to the hospital for treatment.

Klingerman and his front passenger were also pinned inside their car. Both suffered upper body injuries and were taken to the hospital.

Klingerman was pronounced dead a few hours later.

Just 20 minutes later, police were called to a crash just one mile east of this one, where they found both a truck and RV jackknifed in the roadway.

According to police reports, a Mazda was traveling northbound on County Road 300 East when the driver ignored a stop sign and crossed U.S. 20, colliding with a westbound Ford.

The driver of the Mazda will be issued traffic citations for disregarding a stop sign, learner’s permit violation, false and fictitious registration, failure to register and no vehicle insurance.

Due to the crashes, U.S. 20 was shut down in both directions for about two and a half hours.