(La Porte County, IN) - Newly obtained information shows a recent fatal motor vehicle crash allegedly related to alcohol consumption outside La Porte was even more tragic. Not only was a child killed as originally reported, but an adult passenger may never make a full recovery from injuries described legally as “catastrophic.”

 

Dawn Coleman, 42, of Fish Lake could face time in prison for the death of her seven year old daughter, Amber Jones, and severe injuries to 45-year-old Alfred Jones for a crash while allegedly driving while impaired.

 

She’s charged in La Porte Circuit Court with multiple counts of Operating while Intoxicated, including two Level 4 Felony counts. According to police reports filed with the court, Coleman had a blood alcohol level of .172-percent or more than twice the legal limit when her Chevy Suburban hit several trees and came to rest in a wooded area. The crash occurred after midnight on February 26th in the 3000 block of North U.S. 35.

 

The family was heading home to Fish Lake after visiting relatives in Portage.  Coleman told investigators she consumed two large plastic cups of wine and possibly fell asleep while behind the wheel. Police said Coleman was taken to Northwest Health with a head injury and later transferred to another hospital.

 

However Jones, airlifted to Memorial Hospital in South Bend, was hurt even worse. Court documents revealed he suffered a shattered hip and pelvis along with severe injuries to one of his legs. Jones also wound up with paralysis severe enough that his ability to live independently will be significantly impaired.

 

An eight year old boy riding in the backseat with the girl sustained only minor injuries.

 

Coleman could face anywhere from 2-to-12 years on each of the two most serious counts.

 

An initial hearing in the case is set for March 31st before Judge Tom Alevizos.