A Knox man has been arrested, following a four-vehicle crash that reportedly killed a Kingsford Heights woman Friday. LaPorte County Sheriff’s deputies say they were called to the 1400 block of east U.S. 6 just before 2:00 p.m.
Officers believe Thomas P. Nelsen, 39, of Knox, was driving a passenger car east on U.S. 6, when he crossed the center line and hit a truck in the westbound lane. That apparently caused another passenger vehicle to swerve and hit a utility pole. Meanwhile, a Harley-Davidson motorcycle reportedly slid and rolled over, ejecting the driver, Levi A. McDowell, 38, of Kingsford Heights, and his wife, Barbara E. McDowell, 51. She died at a hospital early Saturday morning.
Nelsen was arrested on suspicion of the Level 4 felony of operating while intoxicated-causing death, the Level 5 felony of reckless homicide, and the Class A misdemeanor of operating while intoxicated-endangerment. His wife, who was a passenger in the car, Kelly L. Nelsen, 41, was issued an information and summons to appear for possession of a controlled substance, according to police. She was later released.
The LaPorte County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by Kingsford Heights Police, the Kingsford-Union Volunteer Fire Department, LaPorte County EMS, Memorial MedFlight, NIPSCO, and John’s Garage.
The crash remains under investigation with the Fatal Alcohol Crash Team.
