The La Porte County Sheriff’s Department is investigating a single-vehicle accident that claimed the life of a passenger.
The accident was reported in the area of U.S. 20 and Wilhelm Road Monday, February 12 at 1:23 p.m. CT.
Police say a blue 2008 Chevrolet passenger vehicle was traveling westbound on U.S. 20 in the driving lane when, for an unknown reason, the vehicle veered to the right, left the north side of U.S. 20 and began to travel off the roadway. The vehicle continued traveling west until colliding with a tree located on the northwest corner of U.S. 20 and Wilhelm Road, according to the report.
The driver, 40-year-old Lashea C. Bird of South Bend, sustained an upper body injury and was transported to a regional hospital for treatment. The front seat passenger, 33-year-old Kendra L. Murphy of South Bend, was pronounced dead at the scene.
Toxicology tests are pending. The crash investigation is ongoing and no other information is being released at this time.
The La Porte County Sheriff’s Department was assisted at the scene by the Springfield and Center Township Volunteer Fire Departments, La Porte County EMS, and La Porte County Coroner’s Office.
