More than 1,000 mourn accident victim Weiss

Font Size:

BY THE TIMES | Friday, May 02, 2008 | (12 comment(s))

More than 1,000 people crowded Burns Funeral Home in Crown Point Friday, some spilling outside into the funeral home lobby and outdoor walkways, to pay their final respects to Lake County defense attorney Garry Weiss.

Many mourners couldn't make it into the packed chapel on Broadway, instead having to listen to the service on a public address system in the lobby.

Weiss died Tuesday along with three other people in a three-vehicle crash near the Merrillville/Winfield border.

Many who spoke during the service described Weiss as a family man and role model who had a love for life and a great sense of humor. Weiss' brother, Howard Weiss, said Garry was a "fierce competitor" whether it was in the court room, in sports or anything else in life.

While it was difficult for the many that were mourning Garry Weiss' death on Friday, Rabbi Stanley Halpern, who was officiating the service, urged them to celebrate Weiss' life. He said Weiss would have wanted it that way.

Meanwhile, Lake County court records reflected that the deceased driver who police say caused the pileup -- Mario Cadena, 30 -- was driving on a suspended license at the time and had at least one prior drunken driving conviction. The Tuesday incident that claimed the lives of Weiss, Cadena and region couple Stephen Hough, 26, of Merrillville, and Amy Bartelmey, 25, of Hobart, remained under police investigation Friday.

It had not yet been determined if alcohol played a role in the wreck. Cadena, who lived in Crown Point, was charged in 2001 with misdemeanor operating while intoxicated and operating a motor vehicle without ever receiving a license, records show. The OWI was later amended to a count of reckless driving to which Cadena pleaded guilty, court records show.

Lake Superior Court Judge Julie Cantrell sentenced Cadena to a 180-day suspended sentence in that case that was served on probation. He also was required to complete five days of community service.

Cadena was charged again in 2003 with misdemeanor drunken driving, OWI with a blood alcohol content of .15 or more and unsafe lane movement, Lake Criminal Court records show. The OWI and unsafe lane movement charges were dismissed by Lake County prosecutors in return for a guilty plea to operating while intoxicated with a blood alcohol content of .15 or more.

Cantrell sentenced Cadena to 365 days in jail in that case but suspended the entire sentence. The legal blood-alcohol content in Indiana is .08.

Back to story 12 comment(s)

Please note: Comments from readers will be screened and may not be posted immediately. If you don't see your comment perhaps:

It wasn't clear, concise or focused on the topic in the story.
It was a personal attack, vulgar, explicit or degrading, used actual or implied profanity or contained potentially libelous statements.
It accused someone of being guilty of a crime.
It promoted violence or illegal acts.
It contained telephone numbers or street addresses, or e-mail addresses and links to Web sites other than nwi.com or government agencies.

In no way do these comments represent the views of The Times or Lee Enterprises.

Passionate views, pointed criticism and critical thinking are welcome. Name-calling, crude and profane language and personal abuse are not welcome.

Reader comments will not be edited - they will be approved or declined. They may be used in the print edition of the newspaper.

If you feel a posted comment has violated these guidelines, please email our New Media team the commenter's name, the comment and a link to the article.

For more information please read our Terms of Service.

Andrew Preuss wrote on Mar 16, 2009 10:40 AM:

" Garry my old friend. We grew up together in Miller Beach. I remember your dads gold car your pool and your mom taking us to see Bonnie and Clyde. we were both the funny guys. You had a great sense of humor, you and I made people laugh. I have taught for 28 years, and live in Mundelein Il. with my two boys. I miss our days in Miller Beach and I know you made a difference and most important were a man of faith and a wonderful husband,father and friend. I moved my freshman year, from Miller Beach, so I will always remember Garry as a youthful young man. I will see you again, my friend, because I too am a man of faith. May god bless all of your family and friends and your wonderful children. Aloha, Andrew Preuss "

Relative wrote on Jul 31, 2008 10:42 PM:

" Hey Joseph, how about you grow up and leave your mentality of a child? You say Garry A. Weiss was "rich"? Did you know that he gave away a lot of money every year without saying ONE WORD to anyone? He just felt good about being able to help other people. Maybe you're just jealous because you won't be so recognized once you die. Karma, Joseph. Karma. "

The Infamous KEI wrote on Jul 30, 2008 3:20 PM:

" Joseph needs to grow up and get a life!!! We shall see how much mention you get when you are dead and gone!!! If you were any kind of human being you would understand that Garry knew THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE. Can't really imagine that you know more than 20 or 30 from the tone of your email. He was a great person, and was untimely taken from us. Maybe you should rally some of the friends of the other people that passed away and have them to post comments on their behalf!! GOD does not like ugly and u have really shown that you are a VERY UGLY person. Let the deceased rest in peace and get a life. I will always love and miss you GARRY. Your one and only KEI!!!! "

sister wrote on Jul 17, 2008 1:34 PM:

" Joseph
Your comments of Garry A Weiss are horrible. How dare you say that he was "rich". He was the most generous human being and gave to all. Don't you read the papers? Your response was ugly. Look in the mirror sir. There is mention of all of the victims. Of course they all suffered. My brother and I went to Steve and Amy's funeral as well.
Your words are cruel and ugly. Garry was a prominent attorney but he was a wonderful, loving and generous man. Over 2500 people attended his funeral. Does that not say how truly wonderful he is. You are a sick man.
His sister "

Joseph wrote on May 18, 2008 8:07 PM:

" i am deeply sorry for all of the victims of this tragedy, but mr. weiss is not the only one dead and his family is not the only one mourning. the other deceased deserve the mention and sorrow. you would think we all have the same treatment at death, but we obviously don't. mr. weiss's family i am sorry for your loss, but you are not the only ones hurt just because mr. weiss was rich and widely reknowned. let them all rest in peace "

Right on NIKKI wrote on May 3, 2008 10:32 PM:

" You are so right nikki, change is needed. I hope no other victims fall like these poor families. God bless all the victims in this poor tragedy. "

Sounds familiar wrote on May 2, 2008 7:01 PM:

" My husband was hit by a UNDERAGE Drunk Driver almost 2 years ago - they finally prosecuted her 1 year later. Did I mention that this was Lake County also? You probably already guessed by my last sentence - when will Lake County wake up and start punishing these criminals? May these individuals Rest in Peace and may the days ahead for their family and friends bring comfort to each other. "

jrs wrote on May 2, 2008 4:00 PM:

" Hmmm... Cadena is certainly not the only person in Lake County to have multiple DUIs on their record and still be driving around with no valid license. The prosecutor's office has even allowed offenders who have gotten 3 DUIs in 6 weeks get off with a fine and some "community service". The problem with that is the it ends up being a real "community dis-service" as the people are repeat offenders with no license no valid insurance and putting the community at a very high risk. I understand that they can't put every offender in jail, there is NO room. However, make it more unpleasant to be an offender, especially a repeat one. Make them work at one of those "dirty jobs" you see on tv. When they've completed that, make them go AA classes and if they don't show, then back to the "dirty job" with NO PAY. "

Mill Rat wrote on May 2, 2008 3:07 PM:

" There's a business owner in DeMotte driving around with 5 DUI's on his record....and has never done any time other than house arrest. My poitn? It's not just Lake County folks...it's everywhere. People need to be held accountable...period. My sincere condolences and prayers for the families and loved ones affected by this tragic accdent. "

second chance wrote on May 2, 2008 2:02 PM:

" I would like to say that if it wasnt for Mr. Weiss, I would not be were I am today. Ten years ago I made a mistake that I have never denied. Mr Weiss was the man who repressented me, and fought for me. I do not say what I did was right, but I made a mistake that after the whole deal set me on a very nice way of life today. I am successfull and have a wonderfull family of my own. When I messed up he helped me go in a direction that I and my family are proud of. I would like to say thank you for everything. I am sure he will be truly missed. "

Unfortunate Accident wrote on May 2, 2008 12:59 PM:

" Perhaps the Prosecutor should share some of the responsibility. Perhaps this. Perhaps that. The accident happened and it's terrible for all. Maybe Cadena should not have been driving. But who was his babysitter that night? No one. He's a grown man. He'll do what he wants. Everybody is responsible for the OWN actions. Stop blaming everyone else. "

how man times wrote on May 2, 2008 12:37 PM:

" is a drunk driver going to get another chance. There has to be a line drawn when a decision is made to completely revoke a license!!!!! "

Back to story 12 comment(s)

Post a comment Once your comments are approved, they will appear here.

Marketplace

Sections

Services

Other Publications

Search