(La Porte County, IN) - Authorities are still investigating a head-on collision that claimed the life of a 21-year-old Michigan City man. Miguel Angel Melchi-Beltran of Michigan City was pronounced dead at the scene, per La Porte County Coroner Lynn Swanson.
La Porte County Police said emergency responders early Friday responded to the area of U.S. 35 and 400 North, where the collision resulted after one of the drivers crossed the center line. After impact, the Chevrolet passenger vehicle operated by the deceased burst into flames. The other driver, Kevin Baker, 37, of La Porte was extricated from a Chrysler min-van and airlifted to a regional hospital.
Authorities were still waiting for blood tests results to determine if alcohol or drugs were involved in the accident. Swanson said it could be two weeks or longer before the test results are known.
So far, no light has been shed on which driver was at fault in the crash due to the investigation still being ongoing.
Swanson stated the victim died of blunt force trauma, with extensive burns being the secondary factor in his death. Arrangements for Beltran are pending with Lakeview Funeral Home and Crematory in La Porte.
