A man killed in a fiery northwest Indiana crash Friday morning has been identified by authorities as a resident of Chicago’s south suburbs.
A 2015 Jeep Cherokee was eastbound in the 1100 block of May Street in Hammond, Ind., about 4:30 a.m. when it crossed over into the 5800 block of Columbia Avenue and struck a tree, according to a statement from Hammond police. The vehicle caught fire a short time later.
The front seat passenger, identified as 21-year-old Aaron Ligon, was dead at the scene, according to the Lake County coroner’s office. The Hazel Crest, Illinois, resident died of extensive burns, authorities said.
A witness told investigators someone came to the scene of the crash, put someone who may have been the driver over his shoulder and carried him away from the scene, police said. The driver may have “extensive leg injuries.”
Authorities have not yet identified the driver or the person who carried him from the crash, police said. Anyone with information should call Hammond police at (219) 853-6490.