A Chicago woman has been charged in connection with a fatal crash on Friday that killed a Hammond pedestrian.
Victoria Dotson, 32, was charged in Lake Superior Court with causing death while operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated, causing death when operating a motor vehicle with an alcohol concentration equivalent of at least .08 or more, and two misdemeanor drunken driving charges in the crash that killed James Gavina, 58, of Hammond.
Witnesses told police that at about 8:30 p.m., Gavina was crossing near the crosswalk on Calumet Avenue at Gostlin Street when he was struck by a 2002 Buick LeSabre driven by Dotson. One witness said Gavina was walking slowly with a cane and had not completely cleared the intersection before the light for Calumet Avenue turned green, the probable cause affidavit said.
Dotson had a .10 blood alcohol level, court records said. Indiana has a legal limit of .08 for intoxication. Results of a blood draw are pending from the Indiana State Department of Toxicology, records said.
Police spoke with Gavina’s family, including his brother and mother, who said that Gavina had gone out for a walk against his family’s wishes, records said. Gavina had medical issues including limited mobility and legal blindness, according to court records.
Ruth Ann Krause is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
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