News Release

WARSAW — Several people were injured in two early morning crashes on Saturday, Jan. 6, on US 30 in Warsaw.

According to information from the Warsaw Police Department, the first occurred at 2:51 a.m. at US 30 and CR 150W.

Eliphase Denatus, 36, Storter Avenue, Naples, Fla., was traveling in a 2015 red Ford Edge. He accidentally hit the accelerator instead of the brake, and his vehicle hit the back of a 2015 white Ford Explorer driven by Melinda Hodges, 57, Midway Road, Elkhart.

Denatus complained of wrist and hand pain on scene and later complained of chest pain at Lutheran Kosciusko Hospital. A passenger in Denatus’ vehicle, Alex Leonel, 21, Broad Avenue, Findlay, Ohio, had blood coming from his mouth and complained of pain in his mouth. He was taken to the hospital.

Denatus was cited for no valid license. Damage was estimated up to $25,000.

In the second wreck, Robert T. Carson, 31, Barnard Mill Road, Hamptonville, N.C., was traveling in a 2015 International semi.

Carson said he became distracted by his dog, causing his vehicle to hit the back of a gray 2017 Ford Transit passenger van driven by James White, 65, North SR 109, Columbia City.

White complained of back pain, and three passengers in his vehicle, Jacquelyne White, 62, North SR 109, Columbia City, Theresa Roberts, 37, North SR 109, Columbia City, and David Roberts, 36, North SR 109, Columbia City, complained of back pain, minor bleeding and back pain respectively. All four were taken to the hospital for treatment.

Damage is estimated up to $25,000.