Inform, Entertain, Inspire
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

UPDATE: Alleged Drunk Driver Facing 2 Felonies In St. Joe Co., Construction Worker Killed Is Named

St. Joseph Co. Jail

UPDATE: New information has been released regarding charges being brought by the prosecutor and the man who died in the construction zone is identified. 

The full release is below: 

St. Joseph County –Today the St. Joseph County Prosecutor’s Office charged Gary Matthew Carnicom, 54, in a two-count criminal information. He is charged in a fatal crash that occurred on December 10, 2019, on Indiana SR 931, which resulted in the death of 65 year old Ernest Lewis of Elkhart, Indiana.


Mr. Carnicom is charged with:


Count I: Causing Death When Operating A Vehicle with a Sched. I or II Controlled Substance in the Blood


Count II: Reckless Operation of a Vehicle In Highway Work Zone


Probable cause was found. He was arrested on December 10th in this investigation.

Mr. Carnicom was ordered held until his initial bail hearing and remains in the custody of the St. Joseph County Jail.

His initial bail hearing is scheduled for tomorrow, December 12th, at 1:00 p.m. (Traffic & Misdemeanor Courtroom, 1855 Courthouse, 112 S. Lafayette Blvd, South Bend).

The sentencing range for a Level 4 Felony is two (2) to twelve (12) years.

The sentencing range for a Level 5 Felony is one (1) to six (6) years.


Please be advised that the charges filed against this defendant are merely accusations and that he is
presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

PREVIOUS POST: 

The St. Joseph Co. Fatal Accident Crash Team (FACT) has released the following information: 

St. Joseph County –This morning at approximately 9:37 a.m., a van driven by a 54 year old was traveling northbound on Indiana State Road 931 in the outside (right) lane. There were cones as well as an arrow indicating drivers should merge to the left. The northbound lane contained utility pole maintenance workers; the workers were after the cones. The driver allegedly continued to drive in the outside lane and struck a 65 year old worker. The worker was pronounced deceased at the scene. 

 

The St. Joseph County Fatal Crash Team (FACT) was activated, per protocol. The driver of the van, Gary Carnicom, was taken to the St. Joseph County Jail and booked into the Jail on preliminary suspicion of Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated Causing Death and Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated. The arrest remains under review by the St. Joseph County Prosecutor’s Office and no formal criminal charges have been filed; we anticipate a charging decision will be made tomorrow.

 

The FACT investigation remains ongoing, and toxicology results are pending. The name of the deceased individual is being withheld pending family notification.

 

Please be advised that Mr. Carnicom is booked into the St. Joseph County Jail on preliminary suspicion only and is presumed innocent until and unless charged and convicted in a court of law.

ORIGINAL POST: 

A construction worker died after being hit by a vehicle today according to the St. Joseph Co. Police Dept. 

Here is the department's release about what happened: 

Indiana 931 between Osborne & New Rds is closed for fatal motor vehicle crash investigation. Sheriff & SJCPD are on scene of a single vehicle crash on 931 N. of Osborne, construction worker struck by vehicle in construction zone is deceased. FACT will investigate.