UPDATE – Vehicle Ends Up In Center Lake
WARSAW — At approximately 5:45 a.m. Sunday April 16, emergency personnel were called to Center Lake, Warsaw, near 727 North Detroit Street, due to report of a vehicle being driven into the lake.
According to the accident report, the driver of the vehicle, Darrin W. Teeple, 36, South CR 450E, Pierceton, told officers that he was unable to recall anything leading up to the accident. The first thing Teeple remembered about the accident was being inside his vehicle in Center Lake calling for help.
According to the accident report, a witness stated he had been driving behind Teeple prior to the accident. The witness stated Teeple had been stopped at the railroad tracks at Lyon St. and North Detroit Street as a train was approaching.
The witness got out of his vehicle and checked on the welfare of Teeple. The witness observed Teeple “passed out” behind the wheel of his vehicle.
Just before the train approached the intersection, Teeple started his vehicle and drove across the railroad tracks, narrowly avoiding being struck by a train. The witness stated Teeple traveled through the intersection of Lyon and North Detroit streets and ran a stop sign. He continued to drive through the parking lot and into Center Lake.
After Teeple had driven his vehicle into the lake, he proceeded to lean out of the driver’s side window and yelled for help. A witness assisted Teeple out of the water.