[Southsider2k12]

http://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/porter/...47ee153feb.html

WESTCHESTER TOWNSHIP | Alcohol is believed to be a factor in a crash Wednesday that killed a prominent cardiologist from Beverly Shores.

Dr. Morton Arnsdorf, 69, was pronounced dead at the scene following the crash about 5:30 p.m., Porter County Coroner Robert Schulte said.

Arnsdorf was eastbound U.S. 20, slowing to turn north onto County Road 300 East, when his vehicle was struck from behind, police said. Arnsdorf's vehicle spun into westbound lanes and was struck by a westbound vehicle. Arnsdorf's Saab caught fire and he was trapped in the vehicle.

The driver of the first vehicle to strike Arnsdorf's was transported to St. Anthony Memorial Hospital in Michigan City and later airlifted to a South Bend hospital, police said. He was identified as a 17-year-old boy from Michigan City. A passenger in that car, Travis Pagels, 18, of Michigan City, and the driver of the westbound car, John Merrell, 62, of Portage, were taken to St. Anthony Memorial. Their conditions were not known Thursday.

Police said alcohol is believed to be a contributing factor in the accident. Investigators are waiting on the toxicology results from the 17-year-old driver. The investigation is continuing. The Porter County prosecutor's office is reviewing the case for charges.

Arnsdorf, who also has a home in Chicago, was a professor of medicine at the University of Chicago Medical Center and was board certified in internal medicine and cardiovascular disease.

According to the university's website, he was an accomplished researcher, had published numerous scientific articles on medications to treat arrhythmias and served as co-editor of UptoDate in Cardiology, a computerized book about current practices in cardiac care. He had served as a trustee and secretary of the American College of Cardiology and had been president of the Chicago Heart Association. He was chief of the University of Chicago Section of Cardiology for nine years.

[Ang]

http://thenewsdispatch.com/articles/2010/0...cb385792043.txt

Probe into fatal crash expected to last weeks

By Alicia Ebaugh
Staff Writer
Published: Wednesday, June 16, 2010 4:13 AM CDT

Porter County authorities expect an investigation into the crash on U.S. 20 that killed University of Chicago cardiologist Dr. Morton Arnsdorf to take several weeks to complete.

“We’re treating it like a homicide case, because it is,” Porter County Sheriff’s Department Lt. Chris Eckert said. “We have to get all our ducks in order and make sure we have all the tests back, the toxicology results, before we do anything.”

The identity of the 17-year-old driver of the car who rear-ended Arnsdorf’s vehicle is still not being released due to the ongoing investigation, Eckert said. The boy received serious injuries and remains hospitalized in South Bend, Eckert said, but it looks like he will survive. His passenger, Travis Pagels, 18, Michigan City, was treated at St. Anthony Memorial.

There were several people who came to the aid of Arnsdorf and others involved in the fiery crash, Eckert said, but police are not releasing any information about them yet.

“They are witnesses to a crime, and we are still investigating that crime,” he said.

One of those was La Porte County Council President Mark Yagelski, who was on his way home from his job as a supervisor at ArcelorMittal. Contacted by The News-Dispatch, Yagelski said he actually saw the 17-year-old run a red light turning east onto U.S. 20 from Tremont Street just moments before the wreck.

“His car was all over the road, passing cars left and right,” he said.

The crash happened just before Yagelski’s vehicle reached the crest of a small hill. He said he and at least two other men rushed over to Arnsdorf’s vehicle, which was already on fire, and one of the other men tried to cut the doctor free him from his seat belt, but was unable to. Everyone had to back off when the flames became too intense, Yagelski said, but another man who was trying to help still received a burn on his arm.

“It was just second nature to try to help in a situation like that. Unfortunately, I didn’t get anyone else’s name, because there was so much going on and we had to tell the police what we saw,” he said. “There were a lot of people who tried to help that day.”

Although Arnsdorf’s burial will be private, his family is planning a celebration of his life at 1 p.m. June 23 at St. Ann of the Dunes Church, 433 W. Golfwood Road, near their home in Beverly Shores. His faculty colleagues are planning a memorial service at the university’s Rockefeller Chapel later this summer.

[Ang]

http://thenewsdispatch.com/articles/2010/0...c8228981950.txt

Dr. Morton F. Arnsdorf




Aug. 7, 1940-June 9, 2010
Published: Wednesday, June 16, 2010 4:13 AM CDT
Morton Frank Arnsdorf, MD, MACC, adored husband, stepfather, father-in-law, brother-in-law, grandfather, friend and colleague died in a motor vehicle accident on June 9, 2010, on his way home from work. He was 69 years old.

Dr. Arnsdorf was a nationally renowned researcher, clinician and cardiologist. He was Chief of Cardiology at the University of Chicago from 1981-1990, and currently served as professor emeritus and associate vice chairman for appointments and promotions in the Department of Medicine at the University of Chicago. He also led a team of researchers that made significant advances in understanding the risk of heart disease in women.

His peers recognized these accomplishments, among many others, by electing him a master of the American College of Cardiology, an honor bestowed on fewer than 60 cardiologists in the United States.

“Mort Arnsdorf was a key player in cardiology for more than three decades,“ said colleague Jafar Al-Sadir, MD, professor emeritus of medicine. “He was just a remarkable guy, a close friend, a consistently decent man, and a wonderful doctor, scientist and teacher.”

“He was good fun,” recalled colleague Rory Childers, MD, professor of medicine at the University of Chicago. “He had a tremendous sense of humor, a lot of good friends and a calm, steady personality. His ability to see both sides and moderate a dispute made him a terrific chief of cardiology, a position he held for nine years.”

Born Aug. 7, 1940, in Chicago, the son of a general/family practice doctor, Dr. Arnsdorf earned his bachelor’s degree magna cum laude from Harvard University in 1962 and his medical degree from Columbia University’s College of Physicians and Surgeons in 1966. He came back to Chicago for his residency training at the University if Chicago Hospitals from 1966 to 1969, followed by a two-year cardiology fellowship at Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center in New York. From 1971 to 1973 he served as a major in the U.S. Air Force and was the chief of cardiology at the Air Force hospital in Elmendorf, Alaska.

A lifelong learner, Dr. Arnsdorf taught himself late in life how to play Hawaian slack-key guitar and to paint. He was also deeply committed to his community, Beverly Shores, Indiana, and played a major role in civic activities.

Dr. Arnsdorf is survived by his wife, Rosemary Crowley; stepchildren, Chris Crowley (Bunthay San), Jeanne Crowley Atkinson (George), Colin Crowley (Jen) and Tim Crowley (Katia Bennett); grandchildren, Will Bernstein, Liam Crowley, Kate and Harry Atkinson and Declan Crowley; sisters-in-law, Patricia Bartolomei, Eileen Schoop (Roy), Mary Carpenter (Luis Garcia); brothers-in-law, William Carpenter (Jean) and the late Robert McCormick (Mary); cousins, Aviva Braun (Leonard), Shula Megiddo, Dorit Shneider (Eric) and the late Michael Wharton (Dorothy).

A celebration of his life will be held at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, June 23, at St. Ann of the Dunes Catholic Church, 433 West Golfwood Rd., Beverly Shores, Indiana.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Beverly Shores Community Association, Beverly Shores, IN and the Section of Cardiology at the University of Chicago. Please indicate the donation be used to fund the Morton Arnsdorf Cardiovascular Sciences Research Day.

[lighter]

http://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/porter/...4b44740db1.html

Michigan City boy waived to juvenile court in fatal crash of cardiologist
StoryDiscussionBy Bob Kasarda bob.kasarda@nwi.com, (219) 548-4345 | Posted: Monday, August 16, 2010 9:45 am | (2) Comments

Font Size:Default font sizeLarger font size.VALPARAISO | A 17-year-old Michigan City boy has been waived to adult court to face charges of driving drunk on June 9 and causing a crash that killed a prominent Beverly Shores cardiologist.

"The court finds that the child is beyond rehabilitation under the juvenile justice system because of his age and his number of past offenses," Juvenile Court Magistrate Edward Nemeth wrote in the waiver order issued Monday morning.

Timothy Russell Hefner will turn 18 on Dec. 24 ...

[Ang]

http://thenewsdispatch.com/articles/2010/0...d0787461794.txt

TEEN DRIVER WAIVED TO ADULT COURT

Timothy Hefner, 17, charged in doctor's death
Published: Monday, August 16, 2010 1:34 PM CDT

VALPARAISO — Ruling that Timothy Hefner “is beyond rehabilitation under the juvenile justice system because of his age and his number of past offenses,” a judge Monday morning waived to adult court the teen driver who is accused of causing the death of a Beverly Shores doctor June 9.

Hefner, 17, of Michigan City, faces 11 counts, including operating while intoxicated and reckless homicide.

Juvenile Court Magistrate Edward J. Nemeth, in a written order, said the evidence showed Hefner was driving at speeds in excess of 80 to 90 mph weaving in and out of traffic when he caused the accident that took the life of Dr. Martin Arnsdorf, 69, on U.S. 20 in the Furnessville area between Michigan City and Chesterton.

The magistrate said Hefner was referred to juvenile court for the first time before his 10th birthday, and has had nine separate referrals.

Hefner will now be transferred from the Porter County Juvenile Detention Center to the County Jail, and his case will be waived to Porter Superior Court.

Arnsdorf was prominent University of Chicago cardiologist.

[southyards]

Not guilty pleas in fatal car crash


By Bob Kasarda bob.kasarda@nwi.com, (219) 548-4345 | Posted: Friday, August 20, 2010 12:00 am



VALPARAISO | Pleas of not guilty were entered Thursday for a 17-year-old Michigan City resident waived to adult court to face charges of driving drunk June 9 and causing a crash that killed a Beverly Shores cardiologist.

The action came as Timothy Hefner made an initial appearance in adult court via a teleconferencing system with the Porter County Jail.

Hefner was transferred earlier this week from the juvenile detention center to the county jail, where he is being held on a $100,000 bond.

Porter Superior Judge Roger Bradford set a trial for Feb. 7, with preliminary hearings on Nov. 29 and Jan. 3.

Hefner faces numerous counts of drunk driving, as well as charges of reckless homicide, criminal recklessness and reckless driving. He was appointed a public defender.

Hefner is accused of consuming alcohol and weaving his way through traffic along U.S. 20 at speeds of 80 to 90 mph before slamming into the rear of an eastbound vehicle that had slowed to turn north on County Road 300 East.

Dr. Morton Arnsdorf, 69, died after being trapped inside the vehicle as it was consumed by flames.

In waiving Hefner to adult court, the juvenile magistrate cited the boy's lengthy criminal record that includes nine referrals for 10 offenses since the age of 9.

Hefner will turn 18 on Dec. 24.

He faces up to 12 years behind bars, Deputy Prosecutor Tim Haraminac has said.

[Ang]

Only 12 years......

I'm sorry, but that doesn't seem right. This kid was 17 and DRIVING DRUNK and killed someone--a person who burned to death in their car--and he's facing 12 years?!?! IMO, those numbers should be reversed and doubled, especially since he's got a history of problems since he was 9. Obviously he can't be rehabilitated and 12 years just doesn't seem long enough.

So sad.

[Southsider2k12]

http://thenewsdispatch.com/articles/2010/0...a4828017825.txt

Mom: Son doesn’t deserve long sentence

Ryan Boggs and his mother, Ginger Hefner, weighed in on the case against her son, Timothy Hefner, 17, on Tuesday. Timothy Hefner faces reckless homicide and operating a vehicle while intoxicated charges in Porter County. Photo by Matt Field
By Matt Field
Staff Writer
Published: Friday, August 20, 2010 5:10 PM CDT
MICHIGAN CITY — The mother of a teenager who was waived to adult court to face drunk driving and other charges after a June crash that killed a prominent doctor weighed in on her son’s case and said he doesn’t deserve a lengthy prison sentence.

Ginger Hefner said her son Timothy Hefner, 17, Michigan City, would have to live with having caused the fiery June 9 crash on U.S. 20 between Michigan City and Chesterton that killed University of Chicago cardiologist Dr. Morton Arnsdorf.

“He has been so punished already just with the memory that’s going to haunt him for the rest of his life,” she said. “He’s got to deal with the fact that he killed this wonderful man.”

After drinking on the beach, Timothy Hefner alledgedly drove 80 to 90 mph, weaved in and out of traffic and “flick(ed) off” other drivers before crashing into Arnsdorf, according to a Porter County Juvenile Probation department waiver report.

Ginger Hefner said her son was still a kid who’d simply been celebrating on the beach.

“At the end of the day this is still an accident; he never intentionally wanted to hurt someone,” she said in an interview this week.

Crash or accident, it was an incident that will doubtless affect many lives, not just Timothy Hefner’s or the family of Arnsdorf, who was months away from retirement. Timothy Hefner’s girlfriend is pregnant with the couple’s child and will give birth in September, Ginger Hefner said.

“I’m afraid it’s looking like it’s going to be another child that’s not going to have a father,” she said.

In interviews this week, Ginger Hefner and another son, Ryan Boggs, 26, Timothy Hefner’s half-brother, said court documents made it seem as though Timothy Hefner was on a “path of getting worse and worse.”

Indeed in an order waiving Timothy Hefner into the adult system, Porter County Magistrate Edward Nemeth said the teenager had shown a “repetitive and escalating pattern of offenses.”

His mother and brother said his criminal past is being overstated.

Although court documents show that Timothy Hefner has been involved with the juvenile justice system since he was 9 years old, his offenses were minor, his mother maintains. One time he was playing with matches and started a small fire; in another case, he was riding on a bicycle his older brother had stolen.

In 2005, he and other youths broke into Elston Middle School and threw equipment including a television into a pool, according to the waiver report.

But Boggs and Ginger Hefner said much of his rap sheet comprises minor offenses. While the waiver report states Timothy Hefner has had nine separate referrals to the juvenile justice system, many of those referrals were resolved informally.

“These things were dropped because they amounted to nothing,” Ginger Hefner said.

The teenager’s attorney during the waiver process, James V. Tsoutsouris of Valparaiso, said Thursday he disagreed with the magistrate’s decision to waive his client to adult court, but that it would have been hard to keep him in the juvenile system.

“We have (a) prominent physician who dies as a result of your negligence and he is 17 1/2, it’s pretty hard to avoid a waiver.”

Ginger Hefner suggested that as an appropriate punishment her son receive life-time probation and be forced to talk with school groups about his experience.

“I guess God meant for it to happen the way it’s happening,” she said. “But I don’t think he means for Timmy to do a lot of time for this. He’s been punished severely in his mind.”

Hefner was waived to adult court to face 11 charges, including reckless homicide and multiple counts of operating while intoxicated. He could spend 12 years in prison if convicted, a Porter County prosecutor has said.

[Ang]

I wonder if Mrs. Hefner would feel the same way if her older son burned to death in his car because of a minor driving drunk.

[ChickenCityRoller]

Ginger "ain't" the sharpest knife in the drawer. How about Ryan's choice of what tee shirt to wear to court to show support of his brother. His bestest affliction (or whatever lame brand that is) Tee with a SKULL motif.



Mort was a great guy and a neighbor, we all miss him greatly.

[Southsider2k12]

http://www.post-trib.com/news/porter/27717...chefner.article

Teenage driver in fatal crash has bond reduced
Dr. Morton Arnsdorf killed after car hit by speeding Timothy Hefner
Comments

October 5, 2010
BY JAMES D. WOLF JR., POST-TRIBUNE CORRESPONDENT

VALPARAISO-- A Michigan City teen accused of killing a Beverly Shores cardiologist in a drunken driving accident had his bond reduced Monday.

Timothy R. Hefner, who was waived from juvenile court in August and will become 18 on Dec. 24, can now be released on $16,000 bail -- down from $100,000.

That will allow Hefner, who appeared in court using a specialized device to help him walk, go to physical therapy.

He'll also be on pre-trial supervision through the probation department, but Porter Superior Court Judge Roger Bradford declined to put him on the anti-alcohol drug Antabuse.

"It's time for you to take control of your drinking," Bradford said. "That's your responsibility."

If Hefner uses alcohol, his bail will be revoked.

Besides having a history of alcohol problems and a juvenile record that began before he was 10 years old, Hefner has a tendency to run away and once he escaped from a LaPorte County arrest.

Bradford cited that history as a concern before lowering the bond but said, "the primary purpose of bond is to ensure the defendant's appearance."

Hefner has said when he escaped, he had simply slipped out of handcuffs and walked out but returned the next day because he knew leaving was wrong.

He faces 11 charges from the June 9 crash, seven of them felonies.

The four highest felonies carry sentences of up to eight years.

Hefner and a friend were allegedly speeding between 80 and 90 mph on eastbound U.S. 20 when their Dodge Neon rear-ended the Saab of 69-year-old Dr. Morton Arnsdorf.

Arnsdorf was slowing down to turn left on County Road 300E when Hefner hit him, pushing the Saab into westbound lanes where a Mercury hit the Saab.

The car then caught fire with Arnsdorf trapped inside. Hefner was airlifted to South Bend Hospital.

Hefner's passenger, Travis Pagels, 18, of Michigan City, and the driver of the Mercury, John Merrell, 62, of Portage, were taken to Saint Anthony Memorial Hospital in Michigan City.

[Ang]

http://thenewsdispatch.com/articles/2011/0...41608329377.txt

Teen enters guilty plea

Hefner then taken into custody for new charges
By Deborah Sederberg
Staff Writer
Published: Tuesday, March 22, 2011 5:07 PM CDT
VALPARAISO — An 18-year-old Michigan City boy could face up to 12 years in prison after entering a guilty plea Monday in Judge Roger Bradford’s Porter Superior I Court to operating a vehicle while intoxicated causing death, operating a vehicle while intoxicated causing serious bodily injury and criminal recklessness.

According to Porter County Deputy Prosecutor Andrew Bennett, the plea agreement for Timothy Hefner, 918 Woodlawn Ave., calls for a three- to eight-year sentence for last year’s death of a Beverly Shores cardiologist, six months to three years for causing injury to his passenger and up to one year for criminal recklessness.

Because of Saturday’s offense, in which he was arrested on drunk-driving and underage-drinking charges, “We took him right into custody” after Monday’s court proceedings, Bennett said. “He is in the Porter County Jail with no bond.”

Hefner was on pre-dispositional probation until Saturday when Michigan City police arrested him and took him to La Porte County Jail until Monday, when he went to court in Valparaiso.

The original charges stem from a June 9, 2010, accident on U.S. 20 near Kemil Road in which a prominent cardiologist was killed. Dr. Morton Arnsdorf, the cardiologist, had served as chief of cardiology at the University of Chicago Medical Center.

At the time of the accident, when Hefner was 17, police said he had been playing football at a beach and drinking alcohol. A Porter County Sheriff’s Department detective said he was driving between 80 and 90 mph when he allegedly struck the 2007 Saab driven by Arnsdorf.

During Saturday’s arrest, Hefner’s alleged blood-alcohol level was listed at .14 percent.

“I just don’t think anyone understood the level of his addiction,” said Peter Boyles, a Porter County public defender who is serving as Hefner’s defense counsel. “How else could anyone explain what he did on Saturday?,” he asked.

Boyles understands how respected and beloved Arnsdorf was by his family, patients and colleagues in cardiology and research. He understands that Arnsdorf has saved many lives through the practice of medicine and his research. His death represents a huge loss to those who loved him and to the practice of medicine.

“But I believe every life is sacred,” Boyles said. “And in the eyes of the law, we don’t treat (defendants) differently because the victim spent his life doing good works as Dr. Arnsdorf did. Every life is sacred.”

The judge always has the option to accept or reject a plea. If he accepts this one, Hefner will be sentenced at 1 p.m. May 2.

[Southsider2k12]

http://posttrib.suntimes.com/news/5150495-...atal-crash.html

Maximum sentence for drunk driver in 2010 fatal crash
By James D. Wolf Post-Tribune correspondent May 3, 2011 02:02AM

— A Michigan City man who killed an eminent cardiologist last year in a drunken driving crash was sentenced to 12 years in prison Monday.

Timothy R. Hefner was 17 on June 9 when he was weaving through traffic and hit Dr. Morton Arnsdorf from behind while he was waiting to make a left turn off U.S. 20 and go home.

However, while Hefner was out on bail, he was again arrested for a drunken driving offense on March 19.

“That is an aggravating circumstance, as well as an aggravator to me, personally,” Porter Superior Court Judge Roger Bradford said during the sentencing.

“Prior to you screwing up your pre-trial release, I would have considered probation, but you threw that away,” Bradford said after he gave Hefner the 12 years without probation.

Bradford consented on Oct. 4 to let the still-17-year-old out on bond.

Morton’s widow, Rosemary Crowley, said in her victim’s statement that this showed he needed more time in prison to think about what he’s done.

“It was like the death of my husband meant nothing to him,” Crowley said. “My fear is that after he’s released from prison, he’ll return to his ways and put more lives in danger.”

The judge also said that if Hefner was as serious about getting help for his alcohol problem, he’d seek out the programs in prison.

Bradford did recommend that Hefner go into the Therapeutic Community addiction program at the state prison in Westville, but also noted that he could not enforce the recommendation.

Hefner had asked in his defendant statement for probation so that he could attend college.

“This is the only way I can show my remorse,” he said.

Public defender Peter Boyles said that Hefner had requested to take a binder the doctor’s family made to remember that Arnsdorf is now part of his life.

Hefner had pleaded guilty on March 21 to two felonies, operating while intoxicated and causing a death and operating while intoxicated and causing a serious bodily injury, plus misdemeanor criminal recklessness with a vehicle.

He admitted to driving 80 to 90 mph and weaving through traffic on U.S. 20, rear ending Arnsdorf’s car at County Road 300E.