Area Accident Reports
Kosciusko County
Officers with the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Office investigated the following accidents:
- 6:22 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 5, East CR 500N, east of EMS T7 Lane, Warsaw. Driver: Scott E. Helt, 65, East Lakeview Trail, Leesburg. Helt’s vehicle hit a deer. Damage up to $1,000.
- 5:51 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 4, West U.S. 30 and North CR 700W, Warsaw. Drivers: Bryce L. Truman, 35, Gyr Court, New Paris; and Alberto Hernandez, 51, Monroe Street, Fort Wayne. Truman’s and Hernandez’ vehicles collided. Truman sustained a head injury and was taken to the hospital. He didn’t have a valid driver’s license. Hernandez’ vehicle was hauling equipment, which came off the truck and some of which was damaged. Damage up to $100,000.
- 12:57 a.m. Monday, Jan. 2, East CR 500N, west of North CR 675E, Leesburg. Driver: Michael D. Drabenstott, 21, East Indiana Avenue, South Bend. Drabenstott’s vehicle collided with a deer. Damage up to $2,500.
- 8:32 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 1, West CR 1300S, east of South CR 600W, Silver Lake. Driver: Wesley E. Manns, 41, South CR 1500E, Silver Lake. Manns’ vehicle hit a deer. Damage up to $5,000.
- 9:51 a.m. Friday, Dec. 30, East CR 150S, east of South CR 900E, Pierceton. Driver: Alexander P. Wise, 25, South Strawtown Pike, Peru. Wise’s vehicle hit a deer. Damage up to $2,500.
Mentone
Officers with the Mentone Police Department investigated the following accident:
- A little after 5 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 3, West Old Road 30 and CR 875W, Etna Green. Drivers: Roman W. Turpen, 16, Deerfield Path, Warsaw; Chad D. Blue, 47, East Center Street, Bourbon; and Courtney E. Kindig, 34, 18B Road, Tippecanoe. Turpen said he was stopped at the stop sign and failed to see Blue’s vehicle. Turpen didn’t yield to Blue’s vehicle, causing a collision. Blue’s vehicle then hit a utility pole, and Turpen’s vehicle hit Kindig’s vehicle. Kindig was transported to the hospital after complaining of neck pain. Damage up to $100,000.
Warsaw
Officers with the Warsaw Police Department investigated the following accidents:
- 8:28 a.m. Friday, Jan. 6, East US 30, east of North Detroit Street, Warsaw. Driver: Cayla E. Sorg, 30, Hoagland Avenue, Fort Wayne. Sorg lost control of her vehicle due to icy road conditions and struck a guardrail. Damage up to $10,000.
- 7:18 a.m. Friday, Jan. 6, West US 30 and North Detroit Street, Warsaw. Drivers: Trevor J. Ballinger, 31, Oriole Drive, Warsaw; and Nathan I. Spangle, North SR 13, Pierceton. Ballinger lost traction on the roadway and his vehicle slid, striking Spangle’s westbound vehicle. Damage up to $10,000.
- 7 a.m. Friday, Jan. 6, US 30 and North Detroit Street, Warsaw. Driver: Colten J. Lehman, 20, South CR 600E, North Manchester. Lehman slid off the roadway on the US 30 overpass and the vehicle overturned. Lehman complained of neck pain but was not transported. Damage up to $10,000.
- 11:16 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 5, Boeing Road north of East Bell Drive, Warsaw. Driver: Ryan D. Swing, 41, Buck Trail, Warsaw. Swing didn’t realize there was a curve in the road, causing an accident. Swing complained of minor back pain and was checked out by medics. Damage up to $2,500.
Winona Lake
Officers with the Winona Lake Police department investigated the following accident:
- 11:07 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 4, East CR 225S, west of Widaman Street, Winona Lake. Driver: Justin R. Wadkins, 38, North Jefferson Street, Silver Lake. Wadkins struck a deer with his vehicle. Damage up to $2,500.