The Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Office crash report on the three-vehicle crash Friday morning at the intersection of North Ind. 15 and West Levi Lee Road provides more information on what transpired.
Arturo Hernandez, 27, Warsaw, was traveling west at about 6:58 a.m. in a black Dodge Durango on West Levi Lee Road, approaching the intersection at North Ind. 15.
Monica Hall, 50, Syracuse, was traveling south in a silver Chevrolet Sonic on North Ind. 15 approaching the same intersection.
Suzannemarie Edwards, 65, Warsaw, was traveling north in a red 2024 Volkswagen Tiguan on North Ind. 15, also approaching the intersection.
Hernandez stated they were approaching the intersection when his Durango lost all power. He said he was unable to steer and brake due to the power loss and was unable to stop at the stop sign, causing him to enter the intersection and strike the driver’s door of the Chevrolet Sonic. Hernandez stated he believed the ignition lock was faulty and did not recognize the ignition key was inserted and the vehicle shut down while driving.
He complained of lower back pain but refused medical attention.
Hall stated she was traveling south when the Durango entered her lane of travel and the collision occurred. The collision from the two vehicles caused the Sonic to cross the center line into the lane of travel of Edwards’ Tiguan, causing a head-on collision between the Sonic and Tiguan.
Hall complained of right ankle pain and chest pain and was transported to Lutheran Hospital in Fort Wayne by medics.
Edwards stated she was traveling north when the Sonic crossed the center line and entered her lane of travel, causing a collision.
She complained of left knee and left shoulder pain, according to the report, and was transported to Lutheran Kosciusko Hospital.
A witness stated he was traveling north on North Ind. 15 when he saw Hernandez’s Durango stop at the stop sign and then proceed through the intersection and then a collision occurred between the Durango and Sonic. The witness stated he had to swerve to avoid hitting both of those vehicles. The witness also said he did not see the second collision due to him being through the intersection.
Damage is estimated at $50,000 to $100,000.