The La Porte County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a fatal accident that occurred Sunday, November 12 at 11:13 a.m. CT in the area of U.S. 421 and County Road 125 South.
According to police, a blue 1996 Kenworth, driven by 50-year-old Carl Thomas of Knox, was traveling south on U.S. 421 when a collision occurred between the semi and a red 2016 Jeep traveling northbound. Following the initial crash, the impact reportedly caused the semi to drive left of center and collided head-on with a northbound 2019 Buick SUV traveling on U.S. 421.
The driver of the Jeep, 34-year-old Amanda Bolka of South Bend, was transported to an area hospital for treatment of injuries. Thomas refused treatment at the scene, according to the report.
Police say the driver of the SUV was airlifted from the scene to a regional hospital and later passed away from injuries sustained in the crash. A passenger in the SUV was transported from the scene to an area of hospital for treatment. Their identities are being withheld pending notification of next of kin.
The Fatal Alcohol Crash Team responded to the scene due to the complexity of the crash and will further investigate the accident. Toxicology test results are pending which is common procedure in this type of investigation.
The La Porte County Sheriff’s Office was assisted at the scene by the Westville Police Department, Westville and Coolspring Volunteer Fire Departments, La Porte County EMS, Lutheran Air, La Porte County HAZ-MAT, St. Joseph County and La Porte County Coroner’s Offices, and the Indiana Department of Transportation.
