18-Year-Old Crown Point Teen Arrested After Fatal Crash
At approximately 2:24 PM, Saturday, (6-21-2025) Porter Police and Porter Fire responded to the intersection of US HWY 12 and Waverly Road in regards to a motor vehicle crash, according to a Porter Police Department release.
Arriving responders located a pickup truck that rolled over, resulting in the ejection of a female passenger from the vehicle. The adult female was rushed to a nearby hospital where she unfortunately succumbed to her injuries and was pronounced deceased. The Porter and Chesterton Police Crash Reconstruction Team were called to the scene to assist.
An investigation was initiated that resulted in the arrest of the pickup truck driver, an 18 year old Crown Point man. Alcohol consumption and reckless driving are believed to be factors that led to the crash.
Names of the involved parties will be released at a later time pending notification of family and the filing of formal charges. This case remains under investigation.
The men and women of the Porter Police Department extended their deepest sympathies to all that have been affected by this tragedy. Porter thanked the Chesterton Police, Burns Harbor Police, Transit Police, National Park Service, Town of Porter Fire, Northwest Health EMS, and Joe’s Towing for their assistance at this difficult scene.
Update – The Porter County Coroner has released the name of the decedent as 18-year-old Saelor Guistolisi, of Crown Point.
The driver of the vehicle who was arrested at the scene as been identified as 18-year-old Austin Thornton of Crown Point. Thornton has been charged with the following:
OWI Causing Death (Level 5 Felony)
Aggressive Driving Resulting in Death (Level 5 Felony)
Driving While Suspended Resulting in Death (Level 5 Felony)
Driving While Suspended Resulting in Bodily Injury (Level 6 Felony)
Minor Consumption of an Alcoholic Beverage (C-Misdemeanor)
Operating Motor Vehicle with No Financial Responsibility (C-Misdemeanor)
Charges are merely accusations and all suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty
