A LaPorte County man was arrested after reportedly driving under the influence and causing an accident that resulted in the death of his passenger Wednesday night.
LaPorte County sheriff’s deputies responded to a single vehicle crash in the 0900 North block of County Road 640 West where a passenger car left the roadway and hit a tree, according to a news release. The passenger, Lanny Franks, 47, of LaPorte was transported to St. Anthony Memorial Hospital in Michigan City where he was pronounced dead.
The driver, Daniel J. Grigalanz of Michigan City, suffered minor injuries. Officers established probable cause that he might be impaired. Grigalanz’s blood alcohol content was reportedly in excess of the legal limit, according to police.
Since the accident resulted in a fatality due to an alleged impaired driver, the LaPorte County Fatal Alcohol Crash Team (FACT) took over the investigation.
Grigalanz was arrested and charged with operating while intoxicated – causing death, a Level 4 felony; operating while intoxicated – previous conviction, a Level 6 felony; and three misdemeanor counts of operating while intoxicated. He is being held in the LaPorte County Jail and his bond is set at $2,005. He will appear in LaPorte County Circuit Court on Sept. 26.