PINOLA

Police say alcohol is to blame in fatal accident

LaPorte area woman driving back to a Halloween party was killed in a violent single-vehicle crash police blame on alcohol consumption.

Kelly Pollnow, 24, of 4047 W. Anthony Drive, was pronounced dead at the scene of a massive skull fracture and broken neck, said LaPorte County Chief Deputy Coroner John Sullivan.

According to LaPorte County Police, she had a blood-alcohol level of .24.

Her front seat passenger, Christopher Palmer, 27, of Michigan City sustained a separated pelvis and multiple fractures to his lower back, police said.

According to police, the investigation shows Palmer wanted to leave the Halloween party at a house on County Road 500 West but his girlfriend -- preferring not to drive because of alcohol consumption -- wanted to stay.

There was an argument between the couple and Palmer left on foot, saying he was going to walk home to Michigan City, police said.

Pollnow left the party to pick him up, but, on their way back to the party, she veered off the road to her right, uprooting a tree and smashing into a second tree.

LAPORTE

Bass player was hit after weekend gig, cops say

A bass player suffered fractures to his face when punched outside a LaPorte bar.

According to LaPorte Police, 30-year old Randy Mitchell was in a band that played at the Home Run Bar at 515 Lincolnway.

Police said about 1:30 a.m. Sunday members of the metal band were loading their equipment in a bus for the trip home to Michigan after performing.

Witnesses told police, Mitchell was walking past a man who, for unknown reasons, was "mouthing off" and wanted to fight when he punched Mitchell in the face.

The man was described as short and stocky with a shaved head fled before police arrived.

His wife, Kristi, said her husband after released from LaPorte Hospital with three fractures near his left eye now has appointment with a plastic surgeon.

LAPORTE COUNTY

DeMotte man arrested after bar fight on Sunday

A Jasper County man was among three individuals arrested at a LaPorte County bar where a fight broke out.

Sunday just before 2 a.m., police were called to The Last Round Up along Ind. 104, six miles east of LaPorte.

The investigation shows Jeffrey Jimerson, 45, of Plymouth, had been touching and talking to women in the bar in a sexual manner.

He was being escorted out of the tavern when the man's nephew Ronald Jimerson, of Knox, was sucker punched by Jonathon Novak, 25, of DeMotte, police said.

The situation became heated enough for patrons inside the bar to lock the doors for their own safety, police said.

According to police, all three men were charged with battery.

Jeffrey Jimerson also was charged with strangulation for allegedly choking a woman at the bar.