UPDATE: Six Milford Children Injured In Saturday Evening Fatal Vehicle Accident
By Liz Adkins
InkFreeNews
WARSAW — More details on a fatal vehicle accident on Saturday evening which also resulted in injuries to six Milford children have been released.
At 5:35 p.m. Saturday, June 29, emergency personnel responded to a two-vehicle accident on North CR 150W, near West CR 400N, Warsaw.
According to a Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Office accident report, Anish Daita, 31, Warsaw, was driving a black 2024 Tesla Model Y north on CR 150W at a high rate of speed when his vehicle traveled left of center, hitting a 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe head-on. This caused the Tahoe to leave the roadway and enter a yard.
The Tahoe’s driver, Joseph L. Criswell, 44, Milford, was pronounced dead at the scene by the Kosciusko County Coroner for injuries sustained in the accident.
Multiple passengers in Criswell’s vehicle were also injured. Jesus A. Criswell, 16, Milford, sustained minor facial injuries and was treated at the scene by medics. Hannah Fulk, 14, Milford, sustained facial and chin injuries. Amriana Criswell, 7, Milford, sustained facial injuries. Both Fulk and Amriana were flown from the scene by Lutheran Air to Lutheran Fort Wayne.
Yandale Criswell, 6, Milford, sustained neck injuries; and Katalaya Criswell, 9, Milford, sustained facial injuries. Both Yandale and Katalaya were taken by North Webster medics to Lutheran Fort Wayne. Liam Criswell, 5, Milford, sustained chest abrasions and was taken to Lutheran Fort Wayne.
Daita reported no injuries at the time of the accident and was taken to Lutheran Kosciusko Hospital for a blood draw. The accident report states Daita was allegedly drinking prior to the accident.
A passenger in Daita’s vehicle, Naresh R. Malipatel, 30, Warsaw, sustained a chest abrasion. A second passenger in Daita’s vehicle, Vinay K. Taduru, 31, Fort Wayne, sustained minor facial injuries. Malipatel and Taduru refused medical attention at the scene.
Damages are estimated to be over $100,000.