(La Porte County, IN) - A fatal collision in La Porte County last night involving a motorcycle was reportedly caused by an impaired driver. Just before 9 p.m., according to the La Porte County Sheriff’s Office, a motorcycle was rear-ended on State Road 2 and County Road 150 East.

The driver and passenger on the bike were both from Florida. The passenger, Cheryl Skidmore, 73, was taken to a regional hospital by helicopter and later died. The driver of the motorcycle, Larry Cummings, 82, was taken by ambulance to an area hospital. Both people sustained what were described as upper-body injuries.

Police said the motorcycle was traveling eastbound when it was struck in the rear by an SUV driven by 32-year-old Angel Almaraz of La Porte, who has been charged with Operating a Vehicle while Intoxicated Causing Death and Serious Injury, both Level 4 felonies. 

Almaraz has a prior OWI conviction and never receiving a driver’s license. Almaraz remains housed in the La Porte County Jail on $20,000 cash-only bond. He could face anywhere from a 2 to 12-year sentence on each count.