Offender Charged In Whiting Fatal Hit & Run
On September 13, 2020, the Whiting Police were dispatched to the 2000 block of Indianapolis Blvd in Whiting in reference to a hit & run accident with an injury, according to Detective Captain Brad Stelow. Upon arrival, officers requested Whiting Fire Department respond to the scene.
All responding officers blocked and re-routed all traffic. Responding officers talked to eyewitnesses that stated they witnessed a vehicle that drove away from the scene and gave a description to the officers. The officers advised 911 dispatchers to notify area municipalities the description and last known direction of travel of the suspect vehicle, and the circumstances. The on-scene officers requested that the Lake County Coroner, an accident reconstructionist of the Indiana State Police, and detectives of the Whiting Police Department to respond. The deceased pedestrian was later identified as Richard Paul Garza of Whiting by The Lake County Coroner.
In the following months of investigating, Detective Lt Jeff Allard and Detective Cpl Dan Macon of the Whiting Police Department’s Detective Bureau, were able to gather the necessary evidence in order for the Lake County Prosecutor’s Office to file charges against the suspected offender. Charges against the suspected offender are expected to be filed either today or tomorrow with Lake County, Stelow stated.
Charges expected to be filed include: Leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death or catastrophic injury (Level 4 Felony), Leaving the scene of an accident with moderate or serious bodily injury (Level 6 Felony), Leaving the scene of an accident (A Misdemeanor), & leaving the scene of an accident (B Misdemeanor). The identity of the suspected offender will be released after charges are approved.
The Whiting Police Department thanked the Indiana State Police, The East Chicago Police Department, Hammond Police Department, Hammond EMA, Indiana State Gamming Commission, Lake County Coroner Office, Lake County Prosecutor Office, and numerous businesses & private citizens of Whiting for their invaluable assistance in this case.
