UPDATE — Accident on U.S. 6 Proves Fatal
NEW PARIS — The Elkhart County Sheriff’s Office released further details on a two-vehicle accident on US 6 between CR 127 and CR 29 in Elkhart County, which occurred at 1:35 p.m. Tuesday. Aug. 20.
The accident involved a 2011 red Chevy Silverado pickup truck which rear-ended a 2011 Ford F550 work vehicle owned by CSX railroad. According to the report, the eastbound Silverado was operated by Daniel D. Allard, 42, of Ligonier. The Ford was reportedly facing east, stopped in construction traffic, when the Silverado collided with the rear of the vehicle.
Although an air ambulance and crew was dispatched to the area to transport Allard to the hospital, he was pronounced dead at the scene and the crew was recalled.
The driver of the Ford, Jonathan C. Gerke, 32, St. Joe, was transported to Goshen General Hospital by New Paris medics with complaints of back pain.
The Elkhart County Sheriff’s Office Crash Investigation Team assisted with the accident investigation.
ORIGINAL POST —
NEW PARIS — A two-vehicle collision stopped traffic on US 6 between CR 127 and CR 29 at approximately 1:40 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 20. Upon arrival at the scene in Elkhart County northwest of Syracuse, first responders found that a eastbound red Chevy Silverado pickup truck had rear ended a white CSX work vehicle.
A landing zone for Memorial MedFlight was established in the former Shopko parking lot in Syracuse. The driver of the pickup truck required extraction from the vehicle before being transported by ambulance to the transfer point. He reportedly was unconscious and suffering facial injuries.
The status of the flight following the transfer was unclear.
Turkey Creek Fire Department and EMS, Elkhart County Sheriff’s Office and New Paris Fire Department were among the first responders reporting to the scene.