By 1ST SGT. CHAD HILL
Public Information Officer, Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Department

MENTONE — Kosciusko County officials are currently investigating a vehicular traffic crash south of Mentone that has left one teenager in serious condition and a second teen dead.

Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Deputies and emergency personnel responded at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 12 to a reported vehicular crash located on CR 500 South, east of SR 19

Responders located a passenger, identified as Cole Allen Dowd, 19, Mentone, and the driver, Jordan Anthony Shafer, 18, Rochester, near the crash of a silver Ford Taurus. Dowd was transported to Lutheran Hospital, Fort Wayne, in serious condition with various injuries.

Shafer died from blunt force trauma injuries he received after being ejected from the vehicle, according to Kosciusko County Coroner Michael Wilson.

Kosciusko County F.A.C.T. team members stated a preliminary investigation into the crash has determined Shafer had been traveling eastbound on CR 500 South, when his vehicle went off the south edge of the roadway. Shafer lost control of his vehicle and it began to roll on the gravel surface, ejecting him approximately 40 feet into a tree-line area.

Officers stated the crash is still currently under investigation. The Kosciusko County F.A.C.T. team was assisted at the scene by members of the Mentone Fire Department, Mentone EMS, Mentone Police Department, and the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Department.