News Release

SYRACUSE — Eight people sustained minor injuries in a three-vehicle crash south of Syracuse, Saturday, July 6. The crash occurred at 4:30 p.m. on SR 13 at East Vawter Park Road.

According to the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Department, Claire E. Standley, 19, Serpent Circle, Indianapolis, was traveling west in a 2012 Toyota Prius C on Vawter Park Road from the stop sign across SR 13 to go into a private drive. When Standley’s vehicle entered the roadway, it was struck by a northbound 2017 Nissan Rogue, driven by Ray Skelton, 27, East George Street, North Webster.

Standley’s vehicle was then struck by a 2014 Chrysler Town and Country driven by Jefferey L. Miller, 61, Homestead, Decatur.

Standley’s vehicle went off the roadway colliding with a stop sign on the westside of SR 13 at the private drive.

Police list failure to yield the right of way by Standley as the cause of the crash.

Standley suffered minor bleeding to the head and was seen by emergency personnel at the scene, but refused further treatment. A passenger in her vehicle, Ruby M. Rusk, 20, Swiftsail, Indianapolis, suffered an abrasion to her elbow. She also refused further treatment at the scene.

Skelton refused treatment at the scene for unknown injuries. Passengers in his vehicle, Aliscia L. Templeton, 29, East Sheridan St., Warsaw, complained of pain to the abdomen/pelvis area; Xavier Bartman, 11, Warsaw, complained of neck pain; Crew Bartman, 4, complained of pain to the abdomen/pelvis area; and Maleak Bartman, 8, complained of pain to the lower leg. The passenger were taken to Lutheran Kosciusko for further treatment.

Miller complained of pain to the lower leg and a passenger in his vehicle, Kelly J. Miller, 59, Homestead, Decatur, complained of pain to the chest. Both were seen by emergency medical personnel and reused further treatment.

All drivers and occupants were wearing seatbelts or in a child restraint seat.

Turkey Creek Fire Territory, Tippecanoe Township Fire Territory responded to the scene.

The accident was investigated by the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Department.

Damage was estimated up to $50,000.