Driver, Passenger from Fatal Crash ID'd
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By Kaitie Vanderpool-
The driver of the fatality vehicle was identified as Jenann Patz, 57, Crown Point. She was preliminarily identified the evening the crash occurred, but family members provided positive visual identification Monday.
The passenger of the fatality vehicle was unable to be identified at the scene and was subsequently transported to the Northeast Indiana Forensic Center, Fort Wayne. Dr. Craig Nelson, dentist with the Allen County Coroner’s Office, confirmed the identity of the deceased passenger as Sherri L. Harden, 55, Cedar Lake. Positive identification was completed during an autopsy Monday that included dental comparison.
The preliminary cause of death for both victims is listed as blunt force trauma due to a traumatic event with manner of death as an accident.
The crash occurred Saturday just after 3 p.m. Saturday. Bourbon Police Department officers arrived and found one vehicle fully engulfed in flames with the first victim ejected. Etna Green Fire Department extinguished the fire and discovered the second victim inside the vehicle.
A preliminary investigation determined a semi-truck driven by Adam J. King, 34, Lima, Ohio, was eastbound on U.S. 30 approaching the intersection of Ind. 19. King, for an undetermined reason, struck the rear end of the vehicle the victim’s were traveling in, which was stopped for a red traffic light in the same eastbound driving lane. The victim’s vehicle continued forward, striking a third vehicle driven by Larry L. Nelson, 58, Dyer.
Nelson and his wife were reportedly uninjured during the crash, as was King. [[In-content Ad]]
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The driver of the fatality vehicle was identified as Jenann Patz, 57, Crown Point. She was preliminarily identified the evening the crash occurred, but family members provided positive visual identification Monday.
The passenger of the fatality vehicle was unable to be identified at the scene and was subsequently transported to the Northeast Indiana Forensic Center, Fort Wayne. Dr. Craig Nelson, dentist with the Allen County Coroner’s Office, confirmed the identity of the deceased passenger as Sherri L. Harden, 55, Cedar Lake. Positive identification was completed during an autopsy Monday that included dental comparison.
The preliminary cause of death for both victims is listed as blunt force trauma due to a traumatic event with manner of death as an accident.
The crash occurred Saturday just after 3 p.m. Saturday. Bourbon Police Department officers arrived and found one vehicle fully engulfed in flames with the first victim ejected. Etna Green Fire Department extinguished the fire and discovered the second victim inside the vehicle.
A preliminary investigation determined a semi-truck driven by Adam J. King, 34, Lima, Ohio, was eastbound on U.S. 30 approaching the intersection of Ind. 19. King, for an undetermined reason, struck the rear end of the vehicle the victim’s were traveling in, which was stopped for a red traffic light in the same eastbound driving lane. The victim’s vehicle continued forward, striking a third vehicle driven by Larry L. Nelson, 58, Dyer.
Nelson and his wife were reportedly uninjured during the crash, as was King. [[In-content Ad]]
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