Two fatalities in two days due to winter weather

By: ABC57 Staff

Posted: Feb 2, 2013 11:05 PM EST | Updated: Nov 5, 2014 6:57 PM EST

ST. JOSEPH COUNTY, Ind. -- This winter weather is becoming quite a safety hazard for foks in Michiana. There have been two fatalities in two days.

Just before one p.m., a car lost control on a snowy road and forty-six-year-old Linda Ward of Culver died from the crash.

Last night, just before 11 p.m., a Pontiac Sedan was speeding and slid on an ice patch on Cleveland Road and crashed into a mini-van.

The driver of the sedan, 40-year-old Christopher Perkins of Mishawaka, died. The couple in the minivan, who are in their seventies, were rushed to Memorial Hospital.

76-year-old Andrew Zawisza of Granger has been released from the hospital and his wife, 74-year-old Terry Zawisza is still in the hospital in fair condition. Her daughter told me she has broken ribs and is having some lung issues, but is expected to make a full recovery.

Her daughter also told me she hopes this accident can be a lesson to everyone to slow down with these wintery road conditions.

Althought the speed limit is clearly posted as 40-miles-per hour, witnesses say the driver going westbound was traveling almost seventy.

"Definitely speed was a factor," said Blank.

Sadly that speed and weather induced crash didn't turn out well for the driver, who had to be extricated from the vehicle or the victims in the mini-van.

"The driver who caused the accident did not survive," said Blank.

"There was an elderly couple in the mini-van they were transported to Memorial Hospital," said Blank.

Last night officers thought the only contributing factors to this crash were speed and slick roads, but police sent out a press release saying they believe the driver was under the influence of alcohol.