ICN file photo
By Lucy Perry
Indiana Central News PUTNAM COUNTY - Police say a California truck driver was struck and killed by an impaired man on Interstate 70 in Putnam County this afternoon. Freddie L. Smith, 66, of Sacramento, Calif., was pronounced dead at the scene. Brian P. Rosano, 42, Brazil, Ind., was allegedly driving under the influence of a controlled substance and was transported to the Putnam County Hospital for minor injuries suffered in the crash. He is expected to be released into the custody of the Putnam County Jail when cleared medically. Rosano faces multiple charges, including : Possession of paraphernalia, Class A misdemeanor; operating a motor vehicle under the influence of a controlled substance, Class C misdemeanor; operating a motor vehicle while endangerment of others, Class A misdemeanor; possession of syringe needles, Level 6 felony; and causing death of another person when operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of a controlled substance, Level 5 felony. Indiana State Police Sgt. Matt Ames said Rosano submitted to a blood draw for drugs and alcohol, noting that the subsequent tests results confirmed Rosano was under the influence of a controlled substance. Dispatchers received several calls reporting the 2009 Chrysler van driving recklessly on the interstate near the 56 mile marker prior to the fatal crash.Emergency crews responded to the scene around 4 p.m. Investigation revealed Smith's truck had just gotten roadside repairs completed after the vehicle had been disabled. He was securing his roadside warning devices, when the van struck him down. The van swerved off the roadway and across the white line, killing Smith, Ames said. The Putnam County Sheriff's Department, Cloverdale Volunteer Fire Department, Putnam County Coroner's Office and Indiana Department of Transportation assisted Trooper Courtland Woodruff and the ISP reconstruction team at the scene 
Putnam Co. Sheriff's Office
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