A Cromwell man is in critical condition following a Friday night accident near Syracuse. (Photo provided by Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Department)

An accident near Syracuse Friday evening has left a 45-year-old Cromwell man in critical condition.

The crash happened at approximately 6:04 p.m. at CRs 1000 East and 1050 North. The initial 911 caller noted the single vehicle accident involved a pickup truck and a utility pole and one of the occupants was partially ejected.

Upon arrival, officers and first responders found the truck had rolled-over into a soybean field, striking a utility pole and ejecting the driver, Javier Lopez, 45,. Lopez was immediately airlifted from the scene to Parkview Regional Medical Center, Fort Wayne, by Samaritan helicopter with head and leg injuries.

The passenger, Miguel Sanchez, 30, Syracuse, was also transported by Samaritan helicopter to Parkview with serious leg injuries.

Kosciusko County F.A.C.T./crash investigator’s said the preliminary investigation has determined Lopez was southbound on CR 1000 East approaching the CR 1050 North intersection, which is a T-road, when a vehicle that was stopped on CR 1050 north suddenly pulled into the path of the Lopez vehicle.  Lopez attempted to swerve to avoid a collision with the vehicle, but subsequently went off the east side of CR 1000 East, causing the truck to roll over and strike a utility pole. Witnesses said the other vehicle involved did not make contact with Lopez’s vehicle, but the driver of that vehicle left the scene.

The crash remains under investigation by the Kosciusko Count F.A.C.T. team. Lopez was last listed in critical condition while Sanchez was listed in serious condition.

The Kosciusko County F.A.C.T./crash investigation team was assisted by the Syracuse/Turkey Creek Township EMS and Fire Department, Indiana State Police and the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Department.