The Associated Press
MICHIGAN CITY, Ind. (AP) -- An off-duty LaPorte County sheriff’s deputy trying to reach the scene of a home invasion crashed into another car, killing its driver.
The Springfield Volunteer Fire Department had blocked traffic on U.S. 20 Tuesday evening while police searched houses for two men who reportedly forced their way into a home and shot one of the occupants.
Sheriff’s Deputy Ronald Hee, a member of the northern Indiana county’s emergency response team, tried to get around the stopped westbound traffic by driving in the eastbound lanes, which were clear, LaPorte County Sheriff Jim Arnold said Wednesday.
“The officer had his red lights and siren running,” Arnold said. “For some unknown reason the other driver decided to make a U-turn and head back eastbound and didn’t check traffic.”
Charles Leathers, 46, of Portage died after his car was hit broadside near the Interstate 94 interchange.
The 26-year-old deputy suffered only minor injuries and was treated at a hospital and released, Arnold said.
Evidence at the scene indicated Hee tried to stop, Arnold said. Hee has been with the department for nearly five years and has an excellent record, he said. The deputy will be placed on administrative leave while the accident is reviewed.
The accident occurred about a quarter-mile from the house where two men in ski masks shot a man in the leg, police said. The shooting victim’s injuries were not life-threatening and he was treated at a hospital and released, Arnold said. He did not identify the man.
The highway was reopened to traffic by Wednesday morning.