By Sophia Voravong
svoravong@journalandcourier.com

Police suspect that a Peru man was impaired when he drove through a red light Wednesday afternoon, causing a crash that fatally injured a Lafayette woman.

Kathryn A. Eckman, 77, of Lafayette died of internal chest injuries at St. Elizabeth Medical Center, where she was taken for complaints of dizziness and pain in her leg.

The other driver, Mark A. Howard, 49, was arrested on suspicion of operating a vehicle while intoxicated, causing death. He was in the Tippecanoe County Jail for about 14 hours before posting a $10,000 surety bond.

Sheriff Tracy Brown said an initial test taken after the crash showed that Howard tested positive for drugs. He declined to say which drug, pending further test results.

"I don't think I was under the influence of anything at that time of day," Howard said by phone Thursday night. "I was completely sober."

He said he apologized to Eckman after the collision and thought she was going to be OK based on the behavior of emergency responders.

"I'm very sorry that I touched their family" in that way, Howard said. "I wish I could change (it) and put myself in her place."

Sheriff's deputies and state police troopers responded to the crash about 4:20 p.m. Wednesday on Indiana 25 North near the entrance ramp to Interstate 65.

According to the crash report filed by sheriff's deputy Greg Frantz, Howard said he was driving north on Indiana 25 when the traffic light turned yellow and he believed he could not stop in time.

Howard's 1996 GMC pickup truck struck Eckman's 2002 Buick sedan, which was southbound on Indiana 25, preparing to turn onto the I-65 South ramp. They nearly collided head-on.

Eckman was wearing a seat belt, and her vehicle's airbag deployed.

A witness who was driving behind Howard told police it appeared that Howard ran a red traffic light.

Howard was given a portable breath test, a blood test and a urine test after the crash, according to the report. He tested negative for alcohol.

Sheriff's Lt. Brian Sterner said Howard, who was ticketed for running a red light, was arrested about six hours after the crash.

Contributing: Joe Larson/jlarson@journalandcourier.com