UPDATE: According to a press release from the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Department, at approximately 5:27 a.m. Monday, Nov. 17, emergency personnel responded to an automobile accident at SR 19 near SR 10.

When responders arrived they found two men seriously injured from after apparently striking a tree. The driver, identified as Kylee J. Fenstermaker, 28, Rochester, was located outside of the vehicle with an injury to his face. Justin Beck, 30, Rochester, the passenger in the vehicle, was extricated from the vehicle and flown by Parkview Samaritan to South Bend hospital in serious condition.

According to the release, Fenstermaker reported that he was traveling northbound on SR 19 when he lost control of his vehicle, slid off the east side of roadway and struck the tree. The accident was reportedly due to weather conditions. Fenstermaker was later transported to Lutheran Hospital in Fort Wayne in serious condition.

KCSD reports the crash is still under investigation. Mentone Fire Department, Etna Green Fire Department, Mentone EMS, and Multi-Township EMS assisted at the scene.

INITIAL REPORT: The occupant of a pick up truck was flown from the scene by Samaritan Air Helicopter to a Fort Wayne Hospital this morning. The accident was on SR 19, just south of Etna Green.

Multi-Township EMS, Mentone and Etna Green fire departments responded.

More information will be provided when it becomes available. (Deb Patterson)