Officers respond to a vehicle vs. pedestrian accident on Husky Trail. (Photo by Amanda McFarland)

WARSAW — Though investigators with Kosciusko County Fatal Accident Crash Team are still awaiting toxicology reports, according to Warsaw Police Department Public Information Officer Lt. Kip Shuter, preliminary investigation results indicate several factors are unlikely to have contributed to the Friday, Jan. 22, fatal accident involving a pedestrian and police vehicle.

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“At this point, the preliminary investigation does not indicate that alcohol, drugs, excessive speed or distracted driving are factors in this crash,” noted Shuter. “FACT investigators are waiting for the toxicology reports to return.”

The following information was provided by Shuter in a press release following the accident, “At approximately 5:58 p.m. Friday, Jan. 22, emergency units responded to Husky Trail north of Harrison School after a fully marked Winona Lake police car struck a pedestrian. The female pedestrian was unresponsive at the scene and died while being transported to a Fort Wayne hospital.”

The victim was identified as 67-year-old, Sharon Mitterling, Warsaw. The Winona Lake officer driving the police car was identified as 30-year-old patrol officer John Leeper, Warsaw.

According to Shuter, it could take a week to 10 days for toxicology results for Officer Leeper to return. It could take a month or more for toxicology results from the autopsy on Mitterling.

In the meantime, the investigation continues. A FACT re-constructionist is working the case and is continuing collection of evidence and data. 

Police investigate a fatal crash scene. (Photo provided by the Warsaw Police Department)