UPDATE: A judge has just rejected a plea deal for Peter Baum, a 50-year-old man from Hobart, following a devastating drunken driving crash that resulted in the amputation of Nick Garcia’s leg. The ruling came as Garcia expressed his vehement opposition to the deal in court on February 3, 2024.
The plea agreement would have allowed Baum to avoid prison, proposing a 2-12 year sentence in Lake County Community Corrections. However, Judge Salvador Vasquez highlighted the need for a fair trial, stating that the deal would “tie the court’s hands.” A trial date is now set for March 9, with a pretrial conference scheduled for February 6.
Garcia, who was severely injured in the crash on September 24, 2023, told the court that he felt “like I was run over again” after learning of the plea deal. He criticized the prosecution, claiming he was “misrepresented” and described the situation as “unjust” and “unconscionable.” Garcia’s life was irrevocably changed; he now walks with a prosthetic limb and suffers from ongoing physical challenges.
The crash occurred around 8:30 PM when Baum’s vehicle struck Garcia’s motorcycle near 10th and Ash Streets. Following the incident, Garcia was airlifted to an Illinois trauma hospital, where he underwent multiple surgeries. Investigators later found video evidence of Baum purchasing alcohol shortly before the crash, raising further concerns about his level of intoxication at the time of the accident.
Baum’s legal representation attempted to secure a change of judge, arguing that Vasquez made his decision without fully hearing Baum’s side. However, the request was denied, and the judge instructed that any formal request be submitted in writing.
In a poignant statement after the hearing, Garcia reflected on his ordeal: “I didn’t really appreciate life before that.” Now facing a future filled with “all new challenges,” he laments the limitations imposed by his injuries and the impact on his family life, including his hopes of coaching his young grandsons.
As the legal proceedings unfold, the community is left to grapple with the ramifications of this tragic incident. The decision to proceed to trial underscores the complexities surrounding drunk driving cases and their profound effects on victims and families.
Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story as the trial approaches.
