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Family Found Dead After 94 Crash

I-94 Fatal Crash 2012-08-16
[Photo Courtesy Indiana State Police]

12noon update: New details are being reported today that the wife and two young children of one of two men killed in a fiery accident shortly after 1 am overnight on westbound I-94 were found dead in their Belleville, Michigan, home when authorities went to notify family members of the fatal crash. LaPorte County Coroner John Sullivan says both drivers were pronounced dead at the scene; they were identified as 45-year-old Juan Nelson, Jr., of Portage, Indiana, and 38-year-old Michael Van der Linden of Belleville, Michigan. Sullivan says police believe Van der Linden may have pulled out of a rest stop just west of the 900 North overpass in LaPorte County going the wrong way when his vehicle struck Nelson's car head-on in the center lane. Indiana State Police say the impact ignited a fire that engulfed both vehicles, leaving the victims and vehicles burned beyond recognition. Sullivan said it was the "worst accident I've seen probably in 20 years".