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Nick Mitter, 16 -- Car Accident

Published Monday, August 22, 2005 by Admin | E-mail this post

[8/22/05]

DYER | Lake County police continued Thursday to investigate the cause of a traffic accident that left a Schererville teen dead and his sister and another girl injured.

Nicholas Mittler, 16, of 2213 Deer Path Drive, died early Monday when his red four-door 2001 Kia Spectra struck a utility pole shortly before 3 a.m. Monday at 77th Avenue and Blaney Drive, on the southern outskirts of Dyer.

He was transferred to an Illinois hospital, where he later died. The Cook County medical examiner's office said the cause of death is multiple injuries due to an auto accident.

Two passengers in his car were treated at St. Margaret Mercy Healthcare Centers, and were reported Thursday as released to their families.

Nicholas' sister, Leah L. Mittler, 15, suffered head injuries. Sandra Kukric, 14, of 2142 Deer Run Drive, Schererville, suffered injuries to the abdomen and pelvis.

Nicholas, remembered by his teachers as "bright, light-hearted, always smiling and friendly," died the day before he would have begun his junior year at Lake Central High School.

Sandra Sidock, an eighth-grade teacher at Grimmer Middle School who taught Nicholas in the 2002-03 school year, said he was "well liked and social," and always had a lot of friends. Nick could be counted on to help a new student feel more comfortable at Grimmer, she said.

The accident rattled the school system, Sidock said.

"We're really sad ... shocked ... it's unbelievable."

Lake Central High School made grief counselors available to students, administrators there said.

"It's a sad day for the Lake Central school corporation and community," said Assistant Superintendent Rocky Killion. "Our hearts go out to the family.

"You want to start the year out with better news," he said. "This puts a shadow over everything."

George Baranowski spoke highly of the young man who was a friend of his son and spent much time at their house.

And Ricky Barker said his friend "was good at pool and was really smart."

"He was friends with everyone."

While family and friends tried to deal with their loss, investigators attempted to piece together what happened.

Deputy Cmdr. James Tatge said investigators made measurements at the accident scene to estimate the speed of the vehicle before collision and were awaiting the results of toxicology tests to determine if alcohol or other controlled substances were a factor in the crash.

The initial police accident report states that Nicholas was westbound on 77th "at a high rate of speed approaching a hill crest just east of Blaney" when he attempted to stop. The car went sideways, striking a utility pole about 100 feet west of Blaney.

The report indicates the weather was clear and the road surface was dry. The officer making the report answered "Yes," to the question on the report, "Was this crash the result of aggressive driving?"

The report indicates Nicholas Mittler was wearing a lap belt and harness, but suffered head injuries.

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