News Release

LAGRANGE — George Bush, 48, Nappanee, was injured in a crash on US 20, near CR 350W, in LaGrange County involving five vehicles. The crash was around 2:45 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 24.

Bush was transported to a local hospital where he was treated and released. The extent of his injuries were not released by the Indiana State Police.

David Zinkie, 67, LaGrange, died from his injuries shortly after arriving at Parkview Regional Medical Center, Fort Wayne.

Also injured was Melinda Smith, 35, LaGrange, she was treated and released from an area hospital.

Officials with the Indiana State Police report the initial investigation shows a Kia, driven by Crystal Williams, 41, Mishawaka, was stopped westbound on US 20. Zinkie, operating a Harley Davidson motorcycle, was stopped behind Williams’ vehicle and Smith was stopped in her Chrysler Pacifica was behind Zinkie’s vehicle. Construction work in that area had traffic slowed to a stop.

While the three drivers had stopped their vehicle, a semitractor/trailer, driven by Charles Allen, 42, Wawaka, was westbound and did not stop. The semitractor/trailer struck Smith’s vehicle, pushing it into Zinkie’s motorcycle. Smith’s vehicle was then pushed into oncoming traffic hitting Bush’s Chevrolet truck.

The Indiana State Police were assisted by the LaGrange County Sheriff’s Department, LaGrange City Police Department, Topeka Police Department, LaGrange Fire Department, Parkview EMS, Parkview Samaritan, Lakeland Towing and Avilla Motor Works.

The crash is still under investigation by the Indiana State Police.