Charges Filed Against Hobart Man Involving Hit & Run
On September 24, 2023, at approximately 8:30 PM Hobart Police Department responded to a crash involving injury at 10th Ave. and Ash Street, according to Hobart Police.
The crash involved a vehicle versus a motorcycle, and the operator of the vehicle fled from the scene.
The injured person was airlifted from the area to a hospital for treatment. The victim was returning home to Michigan after visiting his daughter in Colorado.
The South Lake County Crash Team responded to the scene to conduct the investigation.
A few hours after the crash police were able to locate a suspect thanks to a witness who followed the suspect to his home. Police obtained a search warrant a few hours later and arrested a man who appeared to be heavily intoxicated as he exited his home and fell off his porch. He was taken into custody without incident.
A preliminary investigation of the facts revealed the suspect who was traveling westbound crossed over into the east bound lane of traffic on the 400 block of West 10th Avenue and struck the victim who was traveling east bound on his motorcycle.
On September 26, 2023, charges were presented to the Lake County Prosecutor’s, regarding the hit and run crash.
Pete Baum, 48, of Hobart was charged with the following:
I. Leaving the Scene of an Accident- Level 3 Felony
II. Leaving the Scene of an Accident Resulting in Catastrophic Injury to Another Person- Level 4 Felony
III. Causing a Catastrophic Injury When Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated- Level 4 Felony
IV. Causing Serious Bodily Injury When Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated
