News Release

NEW PARIS — Lezlie Hein, 34, Warsaw, was not injured after her vehicle was involved in a three-vehicle crash that took the lives of three individuals, in another vehicle.

The crash occurred at 3:02 p.m. on SR 15, south of CR 146, south of New Paris.

The names of the three deceased individuals, all in the same vehicle, have not been released, but are listed as being from Mexico. The deceased persons were of the ages of 32, 24 and 28.

Elkhart County Sheriff’s Office reports a 2009 Dodge Journey, driven by a 32-year-old male was southbound on SR 15, when it abruptly turned left, crossed the center line into the northbound lane of traffic in front of a 2020 International semitractor. The semitractor was driven by Mark Labouef, 49, Almo, Ky.

The passenger side of the Dodge Journey collided with the front of Labouef’s semitractor.

Hein’s vehicle, a 2017 Chrysler Pacifica was behind the Dodge Journal and was struck with debris.

Two occupants of the Dodge Journey were ejected from the vehicle. The other passenger in the Dodge Journey was trapped in the vehicle. All three were pronounced deceased at the scene.

Both Hein and Labouef were not injured and were wearing seatbelts. Only the 28-year-old in the Dodge Journey was said to be wearing a seatbelt. It is unknown if the driver and other passenger were wearing seatbelts.