La Porte County officers investigated two car accidents within a few hours on Friday, November 20 on U.S. 20.
The first accident occurred around 4:30 p.m. on U.S. 20 and County Road 200 East. According to the report, officers reportedly found 61-year-old Arthur C. McNeely of Mishawaka was traveling east on U.S. 20 in the passing lane when a vehicle was stopped in the passing lane with intentions to turn north on to County Road 200 East. McNeeley attempted to avoid the vehicle, driven by 69-year-old Debra Birkholtz, but McNeeley’s truck collided with the rear driver’s side of Birkholtz’s vehicle.
Police say McNeeley’s truck began to drive left of center and into the westbound lanes and collided with a passenger vehicle operated by 62-year-old Brian Klingerman of Bremen. A car following Klingerman’s vehicle then struck the rear of Klingerman’s vehicle.
McNeeley had to be extricated from the vehicle and was transported to the hospital for treatment, according to police.
The report indicated that Klingerman was extricated from his vehicle and sustained upper body injuries. He was transported to a regional hospital and later died of his injuries. A passenger in Klingerman’s vehicle, 65-year-old Joyce Klingerman, was extricated from the vehicle and was transported to a regional hospital for treatment.
The accident remains under investigation with toxicology tests pending.
About a half hour later, a vehicle driven by 19-year-old Joy B. Del Valle of East Chicago reportedly failed to stop at a stop sign on County Road 300 East at the intersection with U.S. 20 and hit a pick-up pulling an RV driven by 58-year-old Minh N. Nguyen, of Pattonville, Texas. There were no reports of injuries.
Del Valle faces preliminary charges of disregarding a stop sign, learner’s permit violation, false and fictitious registration, failure to register, and no vehicle insurance. Officers remind locals to get car insurance. ZeCoverage will get you Nissan 370z insurance quote and for many other cars. The victim has also hired a lawyer in Orlando to handle the case.
The La Porte County Sheriff’s Department was assisted at the scene by Captain Brian Piergalski, Deputies Andy Morse, Derrick Deck, David Grimberg, Michigan City Police Officer Mike Oberle, La Porte County EMS, Kankakee and Springfield Township Volunteer Fire Departments, St. Joseph County Coroner’s Office, Ace Towing, Quick’s Towing, Stan’s Towing, Action Towing, and Barnes Towing.
