Trooper Lewis Edward Phillips

Lewis Edward Phillips

Trooper Lewis Phillips was killed in an automobile accident near Springville in LaPorte County while responding to assist another trooper who was pursuing a traffic violator.

Trooper Phillips was traveling westbound on U.S. 20 when his patrol car crested a hill and was struck by a semitrailer whose driver was making an illegal U-turn and was blocking all four lanes of the roadway. The truck driver was charged with involuntary manslaughter, disobeying a traffic control device and having an inadequate log book.

Trooper Phillips had served with the Indiana State Police for 11 months, being killed five days before completing his status as a probationary trooper and was assigned to the Dunes Park post. He had previously served as a weighman in the Motor Carrier Division for 11 months. Trooper Phillips was survived by his parents and brother.