Noble County, IN—The Indiana State Police Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division responded to and investigated a two vehicle crash this morning on SR 8 involving a semi-tractor trailer and a passenger van that pinned, injured and sent the van’s driver, a North Webster man, to a Fort Wayne hospital.

According to Master Trooper Scott Durbin, at approximately 11:40 a.m. a 2011 Ford Van owned by Ken’s Beverage Inc. from Indianapolis was traveling eastbound on SR 8, between CRs 600 East and 700 East. The van rear-ended a 2007 Sterling semi-tractor trailer owned by D & K Services from Warren, Mich., sustaining extensive front end damage and pinning its driver inside.

During the course of his investigation, Durbin learned that the driver of the semi, Walter F. Schmid, 50, from Warren, Mich., slowed for an animal in the roadway.  The driver of the van, David A. Hughes, 45, from North Webster, did not brake as he tried to steer to his left at the last moment, but was not able to avoid the impending collision.

Hughes, who had to be extricated by fire personnel, was wearing his seatbelt and suffered non-life threatening injuries. He was taken to a Fort Wayne hospital while Schmid, who was also wearing his seatbelt, was not injured.

Assisting Durbin at the scene were the Noble County Sheriff Department, Noble County EMS, Albion Fire and Avilla Fire departments.