A North Judson man sustained minor injuries in an accident that claimed the life of a Michigan City man on Saturday.
Michael Kieszkowski, 45, of Michigan City, was reportedly highly intoxicated when he crossed into oncoming traffic on U.S. 421 near County Road 1000 South. Keith Belcher, 20, of North Judson told LaPorte County police that he was southbound on U.S. 421 when Kieszkowski began flashing his high-beam headlights as he approached in the opposing lane. Belcher said he did not have his high-bream headlights on and flashed his to signal that he was not using them. Kieszkowski then reportedly veered into Belcher’s lane and Belcher told police could not avoid a head-on collision.
The collision caused Belcher’s vehicle to burst into flames. He was able to escape the vehicle and suffered minor injuries and refused medical attention. Kieszkowski was pinned inside his vehicle. An airbag had deployed, but he wasn’t moving and was pronounced dead at the scene. His blood alcohol content was four times the state’s legal limit.
LaPorte County Coroner, John Sullivan, said Kieszkowski was reportedly on his way home after visiting family in North Judson.
