A Hammond man is facing charges of operating a vehicle while intoxicated causing death after a crash in Walkerton that claimed his wife’s life.

The crash happened just after 12 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 5.

The St. Joseph County Police Department responded to an address on Osborne Trail in Walkerton in reference to a suspicious person.

An officer arrived and discovered a male, later identified as Thomas Grzywinski, 46, of Hammond and observed a vehicle 75-100 feet off the road to the north in a sort of wooded swampy area. It appeared that the vehicle lost control on a curve and left the roadway, rolling multiple times.

Walkerton Police brought out their K-9, and officers discovered the body of  a woman, identified as Christie Ann Grzywinski, 42, who was found about 200 feet away from the vehicle in a weedy, swampy area. There was evidence on her body consistent with being involved in a crash. She has been identified as Thomas’ wife.

The St. Joseph County Fatal Crash Team was activated, per protocol, to handle the investigation.

Thomas Grzywinski was taken to Memorial Hospital, where he was treated, and then he was transported to the St. Joseph County Jail where he was booked on preliminary suspicion of Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated Causing Death, a Level 4 Felony.

His arrest is under review by the St. Joseph County Prosecutor’s Office.