Edwards’ car (LaPorte County Sheriff’s Office photo)
Road rage might have led to a two-car crash that killed Michael Edwards, 38, of LaPorte, on Sunday night, May 17, 2015, near Union Mills.
According to the LaPorte County Sheriff’s Office, Edwards and the driver of the other car — Bryan Baker, 21, of Hobart — were involved in a road rage incident on Ind. 2 near Valparaiso. They both traveled east, eventually ending up in LaPorte County on CR 800 South. Shortly after both vehicles turned south on CR 600 West, Edwards’ was attempting to pass Baker’s car. The vehicles collided; Baker’s car went off the east side of the road into a field and Edwards’ car went off the west side and struck a utility pole.
Edwards died while being taken to a medical helicopter that had been summoned to the scene. Baker was taken to IU Health LaPorte Hospital and later released.
Both men had a trace of alcohol in their systems, the sheriff’s office stated — .008% in Edwards’ system and .005% in Baker’s system. Baker was interviewed by sheriff’s detectives following his release.
The crash occurred at about 9:15 p.m. in the 8500 South block of CR 600 West, about a mile north of South Central School.
Crash reconstructionists at the site Monday morning. (LaPorte County Sheriff’s Office photo)