Crown Point man killed in car crash
By Christin Nance Lazerus cnance@post-trib.com March 17, 2013 5:48PM
Updated: April 19, 2013 6:25AM
A Crown Point man was killed Sunday morning when his van was struck by a car and it burst into flames in St. John.
The Lake County Coroner’s Officer pronounced Paul Gebauer, 59, dead at the scene due to severe burns sustained in the crash, which occured around 5:20 a.m. on 109th Avenue east of Parrish Street
Lake County Sheriff’s Department investigators determined that Gebauer’s 1998 GMC was struck from behind as it headed west on 109th Avenue by a 2012 Chevy Camaro driven by St. John resident David Hatfield, 39. Gebauer’s van became completely engulfed in flames, and the Camaro was destryoed as well.
Hatfield fled the scene of the crash on foot, but he was located by the St. John Police Department. Hatfield is currently at the Lake County Jail. Charges will likely be filed by the Lake County Prosecutors Office this week.
