Teen Pedestrian From Nappanee Killed Sunday By Vehicle

      A 2009 dark blue Saturn Aura, driven by Jon Helmuth, 16, of Howe, slid off the east side of Ind. 5 in the area of CR 750S. A 2006 silver Chevrolet Silverado, driven by Jacob Nickerson, 32, of Warsaw, attached a tow strap to the Saturn Aura in an attempt to pull the vehicle from the ditch.
The pedestrian - identified as Benjamin Lehman, 16, Nappanee - was originally a passenger in the Saturn Aura and at some point got out of the vehicle and stood at the tow strap on Ind. 5.
A 2017 white Ford F450, driven by Stan Trusty, 40, of New Palestine, was traveling south on Ind. 5, approaching the Saturn Aura and Silverado. Trusty attempted to go between the Saturn and Silverado, according to the release, and did not know that there was a tow strap across the roadway due to inclement weather.
The F450 went in between the Saturn and Silverado and, in doing so, Lehman was hit between the two vehicles.
Lehman was pronounced dead at the time officers arrived.
The matter remains under investigation by the LaGrange County Sheriff’s Office.
Assisting were the Shipshewana Police Department, Topeka Fire Department, Parkview EMS and the LaGrange County Coroner’s Office.