Moped that was struck by a semitrailer on Old Road 30 and CR 520W (Photos by Michelle Reed)

By 1st Sergeant Chad Hill
Public Relations Officer, Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Department

KOSCIUSKO — Kosciusko County officials are currently investigating a vehicular traffic crash that occurred Friday evening near Atwood, Indiana, leaving a Huntington woman in critical condition.

At approximately 8:55 p.m. last night, Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Department deputies and emergency personnel responded to a vehicular accident with personal injuries on Old Road 30, near the intersection of CR 520W, Warsaw.

Officers arrived and located a Motor Driven Cycle (MDC-formally classified as a mo-ped), along with its driver and passenger suffering from multiple injuries after being struck by a semi-tractor/trailer. The driver of the MDC, identified as Dustin A. Thompson, 31, Huntington, stated that he was traveling westbound on Old Road 30, when he was struck from behind by a semi-tractor/trailer, pushing his MDC off the roadway, and ejecting his passenger.

Thompson’s passenger, identified as Latanna Thompson, 61, Huntington, had severe head injuries and was airlifted from the scene by Parkview Samaritan helicopter, and transported to South Bend Memorial Hospital in critical condition. Dustin A. Thompson had serious head injuries and was transported to Parkview Hospital, Warsaw.

Kosciusko County FACT team members stated that a preliminarily investigation into the crash has determined that a semi-tractor trailer, driven by Daniel S. Faris, 61, Rochester, had been westbound on Old Road 30 approaching the intersection of County Road 520 West. Faris purportedly did not see the MDC that was also westbound in front of him due to the sunset obscuring his visibility prior to impact. Faris was not injured in the crash.

The Kosciusko County FACT team was assisted at the scene by members of the Atwood Fire Department, Mentone EMS, Tri-County Ambulance, and the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Department.

On scene of the accident on Old Road 30 and CR 520W