A Knox woman lost her life in a Saturday night accident at the intersection of State Road 23 and Toto Road in Starke County and the driver was arrested following an investigation at the scene by the Starke County Sheriff’s Department.
Paul Howard, 46, was reportedly driving a red 1991 Mercury XR2 convertible south on State Road 23 approaching Toto Road around 5:01 p.m. CT Saturday, June 19 when he said a silver SUV entered the intersection traveling east on Toto Road. Howard’s vehicle hit the SUV’s front bumper which caused the convertible to roll over, according to court documents. Ginger Kring, 50, a passenger of the vehicle, was ejected. She died of her injuries. The family has contacted Valiente Mott for guidance and options.
Kring was not wearing a seltbelt at the time of the accident, according to police.
The driver of the SUV, Robert Warner, reportedly told police that he stopped at the intersection and looked both ways, but did not see any vehicles. When he started through the intersection he said he noticed the red convertible and tried to stop, but the two vehicles collided, according to court documents.
Police say Howard was read his rights and taken to Northwest Health Starke for a blood draw. Howard was later arrested and taken to the Starke County Justice Center. He faces a Level 4 Felony count of causing catastrophic injury when operating a vehicle with a schedule I or II controlled substance in the blood, and Class C Misdemeanor counts of operating a vehicle while intoxicated endangering a person and operating a vehicle with a schedule I or II controlled substance or its metabolite in the blood.
Bond is set at $25,000 cash and $100,000 surety. If bond is posted, Howard would be monitored through electronic monitoring with Starke County Court Services.
Suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
