Scene of fatal accident. (Photo by Tommy Bohrer)

By FIRST SGT. CHAD HILL
Public Information Officer, Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Department

UPDATE: Kosciusko County officials are currently investigating a vehicular traffic crash south of Warsaw that has claimed the life of a North Manchester last night, Saturday, Nov. 28.

Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Deputies and emergency personnel responded last evening at 9:48 p.m. to a reported motorcycle and pickup truck crash near the intersection of SR 15 and CR 350 South. Responders arrived and immediately located the motorcycle driver, identified as Jeff D. Gable, 51, North Manchester.

Kosciusko County Coroner Anthony Ciriello pronounced Gable deceased from blunt force trauma injuries. Responders also located the driver of pickup truck, Kevin C. Bell, 49, Winona Lake, and his passenger, Vickie L. Hepler, 59, also of Winona Lake. Hepler complained of chest pain and was taken to Kosciusko Community Hospital in serious condition, while Bell was purportedly uninjured. Also injured was Michael Bell, 12, Valparaiso, a passenger in Bell’s vehicle, who complained of pain to the elbow/lower arm. He was taken to KCH.

Kosciusko County Fatal Alcohol Crash team members stated a preliminary investigation into the crash has determined that Bell had been traveling eastbound on CR 350 South and had stopped at the intersection. Bell had then turned north onto SR 15, but had pulled into the path of Gable who was southbound. Gable impacted the front of the 2013 Ford F150 pickup truck.

Damage was estimated up to $50,000.

Officers stated that the crash is still currently under investigation. The Kosciusko County F.A.C.T. team was assisted at the scene by members of the Warsaw-Wayne Fire Territory, Lutheran EMS Kosciusko, and the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Department.

WARSAW — Warsaw Fire Department responded to an accident on 3568 S. SR 15 involving a construction vehicle and a motorcycle today around 9:50 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 28.