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[Southsider2k12]

Michigan City Police Department

LA PORTE COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE AND LA PROTE COUNTY FATAL ALCOHOL CRASH TEAM INVESTIGATING FATALITY CRASH

On Thursday, November 1, 2012 at approximately 2:38 am (CST), deputies from the La Porte County Sheriff’s Office and officers from the La Porte Police Department were summoned to the 3000 North block of US Highway 35, north of La Porte, in reference to a motor vehicle crash with injuries.

Upon arrival, officers and deputies located a vehicle in a wooded area, approximately fifty (50) feet off the roadway, on the west side of the road. One occupant was quickly located nearby with what appeared to be a head injury; although he was conscious and alert. He was identified as 29 year old Thomas DRNEK II. A second person was soon located nearby and it was soon determined that he had also been an occupant in the vehicle and had been ejected as a result of the crash. He was subsequently declared deceased at the scene by the La Porte County Coroner’s Office.

DRNEK II was transported to Indiana University Health, La Porte campus, where he is currently being treated for his injuries. The deceased has since been identified as twenty-six (26) year old Jacob ANDERSON of La Porte.

Due to the nature of this crash, the La Porte County Fatal Alcohol Crash Team (FACT) was summoned to the scene to assume the investigation and reconstruction. The La Porte County Fatal Alcohol Crash Team (FACT) which is comprised of investigators from the La Porte County Sheriff’s Office, La Porte Police Department, Michigan City Police Department, Indiana State Police and La Porte County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office.

Preliminary investigation suggests that the vehicle had been traveling south on US Highway 35 when it left the roadway to the right and struck a number of trees prior to coming to rest in a wooded area.

This investigation is ongoing and criminal charges are anticipated.