This Chevrolet HHR struck the back of a semitrailer after the driver said the brakes did not work.

PIERCETON — A couple from Hartford City was transported to Lutheran Hospital, Fort Wayne, following a vehicle/semitractor accident Wednesday morning on US 30, east of SR 13, in Pierceton. The accident occurred at 11:28 a.m.

William J. Zimmerman, 78, West Commercial Street, Hartford City, and his wife and passenger, Marlene Zimmerman, 72, both complained of pain to the chest, after their 2010 Chevrolet HHR ran into the back of a semitrailer.

Pierceton Town Marshal Tim Sammons reported William Zimmerman said he was traveling west on US 30, approaching the intersection. He noticed the semitractor/trailer in front of him had stopped. Zimmerman applied the brakes, but nothing happened, causing his vehicle to go straight into the back of the semitrailer and underneath that trailer.

Roger Gordon, 54, Van Scoyoc St., Avilla, was unaware of the collision until being told by another semitractor driver. Gordon told Sammons he started to move in traffic and felt a small jolt. He said by this time another driver pulled up beside him and told him a car had just ran into the back of the semitrailer. When he got out of his semitrailer to check, he noticed a small red vehicle underneath the semitrailer.

Gordon, who was driving a semitractor and trailer owned by Caskey Excavating and Trucking, Wolf Lake, was not injured.

Damage was estimated up to $25,000.