UPDATE: Partial Amputation In Syracuse Crash
An accident in the 9100 block of East 1250 North in Syracuse Friday night resulted in the partial amputation of a foot to an 18-year-old female.
The crash happened after a pursuit early this morning near Enchanted Hills.
According to Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Department information provided today, deputies were called to a domestic battery incident in the Syracuse area and attempted to locate one of the suspects who had fled the scene prior to police arrival.
A deputy went to a residence where the alleged suspect was believed to have gone, on CR 1300 North near Warner Road shortly after 2 a.m., but was unable to get anyone to answer the door. The officer left, but subsequently noticed a vehicle that had been parked at the home immediately drive-off after his departure from the residence.
As the deputy caught up to the vehicle, described as a red 2007 Pontiac G6, he attempted to make traffic stop but the driver failed to stop for the officer and continued to flee.
Police say the driver disregarded a stop sign on CR 1250 North at East Wawasee Drive, and the vehicle began to skid sideways out-of-control before striking two pine trees on the north side of the road.
The suspect vehicle sheared off one of the trees and rolled-over onto the roadway, trapping its occupants.
Syracuse EMS and Fire rescue were called to extricate the driver, Andrew W. Gabbard, 19, of Wawaka, Ind., and his passenger, Alexandra I. Hernandez, 18, of Cromwell, from the vehicle.
Both Gabbard and Hernandez were airlifted by Samaritan to the Parkview Regional Medical Center.
Gabbard is currently listed in serious but stable condition with a broken arm and other minor injuries. Hernandez is currently listed in critical condition with multiple fractures, internal injuries and a lower leg amputation. At the scene it was reported Hernandez sustained a partial foot amputation.
The Kosciusko County F.A.C.T./Crash Investigation team is still investigating and is awaiting results of toxicology reports. F.A.C.T. investigators will review the information gathered and forward it to the Kosciusko County Prosecutor’s Office for examination of potential charges.
The Kosciusko County F.A.C.T./Crash investigation team was assisted at the scene by the Syracuse-Turkey Creek Township EMS and Fire Department, Syracuse Police Department, Warsaw Police Department and the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Department.