Fatal Crash Victim Identified Near Valparaiso
On Wednesday, at approximately 8:12 a.m., Porter County Sheriff’s Officers were dispatched to a report of a single vehicle crash with the vehicle submerged in water in the area of County Road 700 N / State Road 149 in Valparaiso. Units arrived to find a 2002 Kia passenger car submerged in the water and a male driver / sole occupant had tragically passed away as a result of the incident.
Initial investigation shows, the vehicle is believed to have been traveling eastbound on County Road 700 N just east of State Road 149. For an unknown reason the vehicle traveled off the roadway to the north and entered Salt Creek. The vehicle was submerged upon Officers arrival. The male driver was located outside of the vehicle and in the water.
The Porter County Coroner identified the driver as 24-year-old, Austin Palmateer, of Valparaiso. Autopsy and toxicology are pending.
