Hobart man could avoid prison in drunken crash where motorcyclist lost leg
Peter Baum, 50, pleaded guilty in court Thursday to leaving the scene of an accident resulting in catastrophic injury to another person, a Level 4 felony.
He could also potentially have his license suspended for at least a year, but defense attorney Mike Woods said he would file for special driving privileges.
Baum faces 2-12 years in the Lake County Community Corrections program, akin to work release.
His sentencing date is July 10.
Deputy Prosecutor Keith Anderson told Judge Salvador Vasquez the victim was OK with the deal.
Woods declined further comment Thursday.
The crash victim, then 56, was airlifted from a helipad directly to an Illinois trauma hospital.
Police executed a search warrant at Baum's house. He was inside with his elderly mother, according to court documents.
Baum 'stumbled outside' with cops and appeared still drunk — with slurred speech and smelling like alcohol. Officers found jeans lying in a basement bedroom with his ID inside. They also found car keys to the damaged 2000 Camaro.
At the scene, the victim's motorcycle was lying in the grassy median. The crash caused his right leg to be amputated above the knee. At the hospital, he was 'in-and-out' of consciousness. Hospital staff also confirmed his left arm was injured, with broken bones and he lost a significant amount of blood.
A relative told police the man was coming back to Michigan after visiting his daughter in Colorado.
Baum refused to talk with cops. By Sept. 25, 2023, he was still wearing the same grey shirt when he was arrested the prior day.
Investigators found video footage at Grangers, 437 E. 3rd St., where a man fitting Baum's description in the same shirt bought two beers and two whiskeys around 7 p.m. on Sept. 24.
mcolias@post-trib.com
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Hobart man could avoid prison in drunken crash where motorcyclist lost leg
A Hobart man could avoid prison for a drunken crash in September 2023 where a motorcyclist lost his leg. Peter Baum, 50, pleaded guilty in court Thursday to leaving the scene of an accident resulting in catastrophic injury to another person, a Level 4 felony. He could also potentially have his license suspended for at least a year, but defense attorney Mike Woods said he would file for special driving privileges. Baum faces 2-12 years in the Lake County Community Corrections program, akin to work release. His sentencing date is July 10. Deputy Prosecutor Keith Anderson told Judge Salvador Vasquez the victim was OK with the deal. Woods declined further comment Thursday. The crash victim, then 56, was airlifted from a helipad directly to an Illinois trauma hospital. Police executed a search warrant at Baum's house. He was inside with his elderly mother, according to court documents. Baum 'stumbled outside' with cops and appeared still drunk — with slurred speech and smelling like alcohol. Officers found jeans lying in a basement bedroom with his ID inside. They also found car keys to the damaged 2000 Camaro. At the scene, the victim's motorcycle was lying in the grassy median. The crash caused his right leg to be amputated above the knee. At the hospital, he was 'in-and-out' of consciousness. Hospital staff also confirmed his left arm was injured, with broken bones and he lost a significant amount of blood. A relative told police the man was coming back to Michigan after visiting his daughter in Colorado. Baum refused to talk with cops. By Sept. 25, 2023, he was still wearing the same grey shirt when he was arrested the prior day. Investigators found video footage at Grangers, 437 E. 3rd St., where a man fitting Baum's description in the same shirt bought two beers and two whiskeys around 7 p.m. on Sept. 24. mcolias@
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A Hobart man could avoid prison for a drunken crash in September 2023 where a motorcyclist lost his leg. Peter Baum, 50, pleaded guilty in court Thursday to leaving the scene of an accident resulting in catastrophic injury to another person, a Level 4 felony. He could also potentially have his license suspended for at least a year, but defense attorney Mike Woods said he would file for special driving privileges. Baum faces 2-12 years in the Lake County Community Corrections program, akin to work release. His sentencing date is July 10. Deputy Prosecutor Keith Anderson told Judge Salvador Vasquez the victim was OK with the deal. Woods declined further comment Thursday. The crash victim, then 56, was airlifted from a helipad directly to an Illinois trauma hospital. Police executed a search warrant at Baum's house. He was inside with his elderly mother, according to court documents. Baum 'stumbled outside' with cops and appeared still drunk — with slurred speech and smelling like alcohol. Officers found jeans lying in a basement bedroom with his ID inside. They also found car keys to the damaged 2000 Camaro. At the scene, the victim's motorcycle was lying in the grassy median. The crash caused his right leg to be amputated above the knee. At the hospital, he was 'in-and-out' of consciousness. Hospital staff also confirmed his left arm was injured, with broken bones and he lost a significant amount of blood. A relative told police the man was coming back to Michigan after visiting his daughter in Colorado. Baum refused to talk with cops. By Sept. 25, 2023, he was still wearing the same grey shirt when he was arrested the prior day. Investigators found video footage at Grangers, 437 E. 3rd St., where a man fitting Baum's description in the same shirt bought two beers and two whiskeys around 7 p.m. on Sept. 24.
