SOUTH BEND, Ind. — A 23-year-old Plymouth woman and emergency room nurse at Memorial Hospital died from injuries sustained in a motorcycle crash early Saturday morning, according to the St. Joseph County coroner.
Nicole Beguin was a passenger on the motorcycle, and reportedly died from critical head injuries and multiple blunt force trauma.
The motorcycle driver, Andrew Pavolka, 25, of LaPorte, was taken to Memorial Hospital with a minor leg injury after colliding with an SUV in downtown South Bend. It happened at 12:15 a.m. in the intersection of Sample and Michigan Streets.
Roger Werner, 49, of Granger, the SUV driver, had minor injuries. Werner was driving east on Sample when he began to turn left (north) and collided with the motorcycle traveling west on Sample.
Both Pavolka and Beguin were wearing helmets, according to police.
Beguin was a 2013 graduate of Grace College, according to friends and Facebook posts. She reportedly played on the tennis team.
Her ER co-workers at Memorial Hospital expressed online how hard it was for them when Beguin was brought in following the crash.
A motorcycle helmet, shoes and other debris were scattered across the intersection following the crash. The intersection was partially closed for several hours as crews cleaned up.
The South Bend Police Department and St. Joseph County Fatal Alcohol Crash Team (F.A.C.T.) are investigating. Anyone with information is asked to call SBPD at 574-235-5888, extension 2089.
Memorial Hospital issues statement
“Our entire team is deeply saddened by the loss of our friend and colleague, Nicole. She truly was a wonderful person who gave her best every day to help care for people across our community. This is a huge loss for our team here in Memorial’s Emergency Department and our entire health system. She will be dearly missed by everyone who had the pleasure of knowing her. Our thoughts and condolences also go out to Nicole’s family and friends during this difficult time.”
Provided by our news partners at WNDU
