Crash survivor recounts harrowing event

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Monday, January 27, 2014

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The La Porte County

Community honors fallen airman By MATT FRITZ

Staff writer 1-866-362-2167 Ext. 13887 mfritz@heraldargus.com

NEW CARLISLE — Growing up in Rolling Prairie, the late Dale Mathews was known for his sense of humor. He pulled pranks involving telephone poles and cornfields, poked fun at the way people danced at his Pentecostal church, and just made jokes that would make his mother smile. But when the destined Air Force technical sergeant eventually did grow up, he became a man credited with saving more than 300 lives in the thick of combat. During a Celebration of Life service on Saturday, Mathews’ fellow squadron member Maj. Dale Linafelter said even Mathews’ death on Jan. 7, was part of a greater effort to help others. Onboard a Pave Hawk helicopter, Mathews was training less experienced servicemen and women to do what he had done for nearly Photos by Matt Fritz 20 years, fly into zones of A member of The Wall Gang salutes the casket of Dale Mathews. battle and rescue the injured and incapacitated. ”He stepped forward and chose to make that sacrifice,” Linafelter said. “He chose to be there that night.” The 37-year-old Mathews died Jan. 7 when his helicopter crashed into the eastern coast of England. He was one of four killed. On Saturday, nearly 200 people attended his service at New Prairie High School, sharing their memories of Mathews and the life he lived. Linafelter explained that Mathews’ job was flying into combat “hot zones,” dodging enemy fire and retrieving those men and women hurt in battle, namely in Iraq and Afghanistan. LEFT: Dale Mathews’ son Keelan speaks during Saturday’s service. RIGHT: Members of Rolling Prairie Veterans See MATHEWS, Page A5 of Foreign Wars Post No. 9423 give a gun salute to Dale Mathews on Saturday.

Crash survivor recounts harrowing event By MATT FRITZ

Staff writer 1-866-362-2167 Ext. 13887 mfritz@heraldargus.com

La PORTE — Driving back from Valparaiso on Thursday, La Porte resident Holly Turner Singleton didn’t see the disaster coming. She was traveling along Interstate 94 with her 3-year-old daughter Violet, as well as her friend Kim Nisle, happy after the completion of a successful shopping trip. The skies were fair. The roads were safe. Then they got into Michigan City and the world became white. Holly said sheets of snow suddenly pummeled down upon them, the road became icy and driving became difficult. Yet despite the near

blindness, cars were still speeding past them. Holly slowed to a crawl, hoping for the best. Then she saw it. The back of a stopped semi. What happened next still haunts her. She hit the brakes of her car, slid on the ice, clipped the back of the semi and crashed into a guardrail. And it didn’t end there. When she turned to check on her daughter in the backseat, another semi was coming. At the time, Holly didn’t know about the dozens of vehicles already smashed together on the interstate, about the cause of the weather anomaly blinding them, or the people hurt and injured. She just knew she was in trouble. The semi smashed right into

her, crushing the trunk of her car into the passenger compartment, forcing her daughter’s face against the driver’s seat, sending her friend’s head through the window, and cramming half the car underneath a box truck. Then three or four more vehicles collided before the violence finally came to an end. Those were Holly’s memories surrounding Thursday’s mass crash in Michigan City, an accident involving about 46 vehicles and claiming the lives of three people, with approximately 20 injuries reported. Officials are still investigating the cause of the Submitted photo pileup. This is the car La Porte resident Holly Turner Singleton was driving Thursday when she became part of See CRASH, Page A3 the 46-car pileup on Interstate 94.

Armed robbery suspects remain jailed By KELLEY SMITH For The Herald-Argus

MICHIGAN CITY — The accused assailants in a December robbery and stabbing of an elderly La Porte County couple at Lighthouse Place Premium Outlets remain behind bars at the La Porte County Jail, each being held on a $100,000 cash only bond. Willie Albert Jones, 43, reported as homeless, and Kenisha M. Simpson, 29, 822 W. Seventh St., each face charges of Class A felony robbery resulting in serious bodily injury, Class B felony aggravated battery and Class D felony credit card fraud stemming from the Dec. 18 incident. Each is scheduled to appear for a hearing in La Porte County Superior Court 1 at 8:30 a.m. Feb. 13. The potential sentences Jones and Simpson face if convicted include 2050 years in jail for the robbery charge and six to 20 years for the battery charge. According to police reports, Jones attacked the couple as they were getting into their vehicle after shopping at the outlet mall shortly before noon Dec. 18. Jones reportedly prevented the 67-year-old wife from shutting her car door, demanding she give him her purse. A struggle ensued outside the vehicle during which Jones allegedly stabbed the 70-yearold husband multiple times in the torso with a knife. Jones reportedly fled the scene on foot with the woman’s purse, but was apprehended by Michigan City Police officers shortly after 9 p.m. that same day as he was entering the GoLo gas station on Michigan Boulevard. It was then that police identified Simpson as an See ARREST, Page A3

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Esperanza V. Escobedo Esperanza V. Escobedo (nee Villarreal), 82, of Michigan City, Ind., formerly of East Chicago, Ind., passed away Thursday, January 23, 2014 at home surrounded by her loved ones after a courageous 13-year battle with Alzheimer’s. She is survived by her husband of 50 years, Jose Y. Escobedo; seven children, Pauline De La Garza of Griffith, Ind., Dolores Villarreal of Ann Arbor, Mich., Homero Escobedo of Richmond, Ind., Lydia (Brian) Jones of Hammond, Ind., Esperanza Escobedo of East Chicago, Ind., Pedro Escobedo of Westville, Ind., and Irma (Felipe) Santoyo of Westville, Ind.; many grandchildren and greatgrandchildren; brothers, sisters, nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by parents, Pedro and Paz Villarreal; son, Juan Escobedo. Funeral services will be at

9:30 a.m. Wednesday, January 29, 2014 at Fife Funeral Home, 4201 Indianapolis Blvd., East Chicago, Ind. with a 10 a.m. Mass of Christian burial at St. Mary’s Church, East Chicago, Ind. with the Rev. Stephen Gibson officiating. Burial to follow at St. John Cemetery, Hammond, Ind. Visitation at the Fife Funeral Home will be from 4-8 p.m. Tuesday, January 28, 2014. Prayer services will be at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday. Esperanza was born in Hidalgo, Nuevo Leon, Mexico then came to East Chicago, Ind. where she met her husband, Jose, and together raised their family. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother and she will be dearly missed. To send a permanent online condolence or to share a memory, visit www.fife funeralhome.com.

Madaline Jackson

February 5, 1926 – January 24, 2014 Madaline Jackson, 87, of Westville, passed away Friday, January 24, 2014. She was born February 5, 1926 in Marion, Ky. to Ike and Ada Sue (Brown) Curnell. Madaline is survived by her daughters, Sandra (Bill) Castello of Michigan City, Barbara Via of Waveland, Ind.; her grandchildren, Kellie Salain and Jillian Mikus; and six great-grandchildren. Preceding her in death are her husband, Harold Jack-

son; her son, James Campbell; grandson, Brent Cox; son-in-law, Bill Via; and her parents. Madaline was a member of the Westville United Methodist Church. There will be no services or visitation. Burial will be in Carmel Cemetery in La Porte. The Newhard Funeral Home in Westville, www. newhardfuneralhome.com, is in charge of arrangements.

Life sciences firms get creative as funds dry up INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — A five-year funding drought is forcing Indiana life-sciences companies to turn to partners or find other creative strategies to keep their technologies moving forward. Indiana life sciences firms raised $21 million in the first nine months of 2013,

the lowest level since 2003, the Indianapolis Business Journal reported. Nationally, venture capital investments in life sciences firms totaled $4.9 billion for the same period, down 30 percent from 2008, according to data from Thomson Reuters and PricewaterhouseCoopers.

ARREST

“December 18, 2013, was a day that turned my husband’s and my lives upside down. My purse was stolen, and my husband was stabbed while shopping about noon on that sunny day. “It is difficult to describe one’s feelings going through this type of traumatic experience. I remember going through the motions, being led into the ER room, where my husband lay as the doctor assessed and sutured his many wounds. “From there, I was directed to another room in order for the police officer to take down the information. A lengthy and complicated hospitalization stay followed that day, and now that the anxiety and stress has lessened,

From Page A1

additional suspect in the armed robbery and stabbing. She was arrested approximately 15 minutes later near the intersection of 10th Street and Willard Avenue. The stabbing victim was transported to Franciscan St. Anthony Health - Michigan City immediately following the incident. His injuries were not life-threatening at first; however, due to complications, they required emergency surgery, according to his wife. Although the couple wishes to remain anonymous, the wife participated in a telephone interview Saturday. After 10 days in the hospital, she said her husband was home only two days before he suffered a stroke. “There’s no way of knowing whether (the stroke) was a direct cause or indirect cause of the assault,� she said. Fortunately, she said, her husband was not paralyzed; however, he has undergone speech therapy and attended multiple doctor visits as a result. When asked about their feelings regarding the attack and thoughts on the court proceedings of their accused assailants, the wife said they do not think about the incident often, and they do not follow the case in court. “We have a strong religious background, and they say vengeance is with the Lord,� she said. “We’re just trying to move on with our lives.� The couple released the following letter to summarize their thoughts:

a sense of cooperation. “It wasn’t mass chaos,� she said. “It was very organized. Everything went smoothly.� When she was finally taken to Franciscan St. Anthony Health with her daughter and her friend, she said the staff was great. Holly fractured her shoulder and dislocated her elbow. Her friend needed staples in her face and hand. But her daughter only suffered from a swollen face and a black eye. One of the staff members leant her a child’s seat for the trip home. Now her daughter is back running and playing. “Between the civilians helping everybody and the first responders and the staff at St. Anthony’s,� Holly said, “I don’t have any complaints.�

Holly, Violet and Nisle were among the survivors. When the impacts stopped, Holly said she was able to get out of the passenger side door, but unable to free her daughter. Then a man came by and managed to unbuckle her from her child’s seat and pull the girl through a slim opening. She said everything was oddly calm outside. No one was screaming. No one was fighting. She sat on top of one of the trucks while rescue workers came checking for injuries, trying to find the most critical to haul out first. They told her she was toward the end of the pileup. She said civilians were working together, helping Follow Matt Fritz on Twitter @ those still trapped. There was matt_fritzHA.

Report: Ind. House members split on gay marriage INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — A poll of the 100 members of the Indiana House shows 38 plan to vote for a proposed constitutional amendment against samesex marriage and 38 plan to vote against it, a newspaper report said Sunday. Thirteen other representatives were undecided how they would vote on the measure and 11 refused to answer the poll, done by The Indianapolis Star. The numbers reveal how support has dwindled for the proposed amendment, which the House approved 70-26 in 2011. The measure needs 51 votes to win approval in the Republican-led House. If it clears both the House and the Indiana Senate, it will go before Indiana voters in November. “Everyone assumed it would be closer this time than in 2011,� said Andy Downs, director of the Mike Downs Center for Indiana Politics at Indiana University-Purdue University Fort

we can think a bit more clearly, which prompts us now to write this. “What we remember the most was the prompt arrival of the police on the scene, thanks to a female in her minivan who saw I was in distress and called 911 on her cellphone. It seemed like there were police cars everywhere. “The police officers questioned me with compassion and courtesy, and were patient as I tried to remember every detail they needed in order to proceed with their investigation. “We were introduced to the detectives on the case. We remember how they kept us informed and explained everything they did to finally apprehend the assailant.

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“My husband and I wanted the community to know that we experienced the highest degree of professionalism by all the police (with whom) we came in contact. We would like to thank each patrol officer and detective and those behind the scenes who helped solve this heinous crime. “Chief Mark Swistek has a determined group of officers who are dedicated and committed in keeping this community safe and protected. “We have seen nothing but positive reports since Chief Swistek took the helm, and would like to acknowledge the entire police force for a job well done. Thank you, Michigan City Police Department.�

POLICE The following were reported by the La Porte Police Department: Jan. 16 â– James Brandon, 42, of Michigan City was charged with operating a vehicle while adjudged a habitual traffic violator (lifetime suspension), a Class C felony. â– Thomas Logan, 37, of La Porte was charged with probation violation: Domestic battery, a Class A misdemeanor â– Joseph Cahill, 22, of La Porte was charged with failure to appear: Driving while never licensed, a Class C misdemeanor Jan. 17

■Brandon Clark, 40, of La Porte was charged with Battery, a Class B misdemeanor Jan. 20 ■Ashley Reyes, 28, of La Porte was charged with a Class D felony of domestic battery, as well as a second charge of domestic battery, a Class A misdemeanor Jan. 21 ■Deanna Kray, 19, of La Porte was charged with criminal trespass, a Class A misdemeanor Jan. 22 ■Alan Heaphy, 52, of La Porte was charged with intimidation, a Class D felony – From staff reports

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Wayne. “But this is a lot closer than I think people would have expected.� Even supporters of the amendment acknowledge votes have been lost. “That’s consistent with what we’re hearing,� Indiana Family Institute Director Curt Smith said. “I think it’s tightening.� Smith said he is “guardedly optimistic� the amendment will win approval. Indiana law already bans same-sex marriage, but backers of the proposed amendment say it’s needed to ensure the courts don’t throw out the law. Megan Robertson, campaign manager for Freedom Indiana, which opposes the amendment, said the expected narrow vote “shows how divisive it is, which is why it shouldn’t be put into our constitution.� Smith said his group has been telling Republican lawmakers that they’re “inviting a primary challenge� if they don’t vote for the amendment.

Submitted photo

Holly Turner Singleton is shown with her daughter Violet, 3, who was also in the vehicle at the time of the accident.

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