Disciplinary hearing set for officer involved in fatal crash

SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- During the South Bend Board of Public Safety meeting Wednesday morning, board members set the date for a disciplinary hearing for South Bend Police officer Justin Gorny.

Patrolman Gorny's disciplinary hearing is scheduled for November 5th and 6th.

Patrolman Gorny was involved in a fatal crash on July 20 at the intersection of Western Avenue and Kaley Street.

Gorny was traveling eastbound on Western with his lights activated when his patrol vehicle struck an SUV traveling north on Kaley, killing 22-year-old Erica Flores.

While a grand jury did not indict him, finding no evidence of reckless homicide, South Bend Police Chief Scott Ruszkowski is recommending his employment be terminated.

In a letter to the board, Chief Ruszkowski said he made his recommendation after a “review of facts and evidence related to sustained violations of the South Bend Police Department duty manual.”

The board accepted the chief's recommendation, and approved officer Gorny's request for a disciplinary hearing.