A two-vehicle accident occurred south of Syracuse on Monday, Dec. 14. InkFreeNews photos by Keith Knepp.

By Keith Knepp
InkFreeNews

SYRACUSE — Shortly before 2 p.m. Monday, Dec. 14, first responders were called to 8601 E. Hatchery Road with reports of an two-vehicle accident involving a garbage truck and an SUV.

Upon arrival, emergency crews found a badly damaged silver Jeep Cherokee on the south side of the road. A Borden Waste-Away garbage truck was facing west on the roadway with some front end damage.

Eyewitness and visual reports indicate the Jeep was traveling eastbound at a rate of speed higher than the posted 30 mile-per-hour speed limit when it left the south side of the road way, hitting an electrical pole, which was sheared off at its base, and a mailbox. It apparently reentered the roadway, perhaps overcorrecting, and collided with the garbage truck.

Turkey Creek Fire and Rescue requested Parkview Samaritan medical transport to the scene. The initial landing zone request was for the nearby boat ramp, but was soon changed to the parking lot at Wawasee Middle School, less than one mile away from the accident scene.

The male patient was taken by Samaritan to a Fort Wayne hospital. His injuries and condition are unknown at this time.

Kosciusko Sheriff’s Office and Syracuse Police Department also responded to the scene.