HANOVER TOWNSHIP | A Crown Point man was killed and a St. John man was arrested after a two-vehicle crash early Sunday on 109th Avenue near Parrish Avenue, Lake County authorities said.
Paul Gebauer, 59, died of severe burn injuries at 7:55 a.m. Sunday, according to a release from the coroner's office.
David Hatfield, 39, of St. John, was traveling west in a Chevrolet Camaro about 5:20 a.m. when he crashed into the back of Gebauer's 1998 GMC van, the Lake County Sheriff's Department said.
Gebauer's vehicle became engulfed in flames and Hatfield's car was destroyed by the fire, deputies said. Gebauer died at the scene.
Hatfield tried to leave the scene on foot, but was arrested by a St. John officer, according to police.
Patti Van Til, a spokeswoman for the Lake County Sheriff's Department, said deputies are waiting for results from a blood sample taken from Hatfield to determine if alcohol was a factor in the crash.
Hatfield was booked into the Lake County Jail. Official charges were pending Sunday.
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