New Paris Woman Killed In Two-Vehicle Crash; Driver Arrested
October 16, 2023 at 2:06 p.m.
NAPPANEE - A New Paris woman was killed Sunday night in a two-vehicle crash.
At around 8:53 p.m. Sunday, the Nappanee Police Department was dispatched to a report of a vehicle versus pedestrian crash in the area of North Main Street and Heritage Parkway. According to a NPD news release, further investigation revealed that a white Kia Optima, occupied by only the driver, was traveling north on Main Street when it veered left of the center line and collided with a white Ford Transit van traveling south. The van was occupied with several passengers.
During the crash, a pedestrian on the side of the road also was hit.
As a result of the accident, Elizabeth Borkholder, 83, of New Paris, a passenger in the van, was pronounced dead at the scene.
The driver of the Kia Optima - Juan Solano Cruz, 18 - was arrested and incarcerated in the Elkhart County Jail on preliminary charges of operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated resulting in death.
Several individuals were flown and taken by ambulance to area hospitals for their injuries.
Assisting agencies are the Elkhart County Sheriff’s Office, Elkhart County Coroner’s Office, Nappanee Fire/EMS, New Paris Fire/EMS, Wakarusa Fire/EMS, Tri-County Ambulance and Bremen Fire/EMS.
NAPPANEE - A New Paris woman was killed Sunday night in a two-vehicle crash.
At around 8:53 p.m. Sunday, the Nappanee Police Department was dispatched to a report of a vehicle versus pedestrian crash in the area of North Main Street and Heritage Parkway. According to a NPD news release, further investigation revealed that a white Kia Optima, occupied by only the driver, was traveling north on Main Street when it veered left of the center line and collided with a white Ford Transit van traveling south. The van was occupied with several passengers.
During the crash, a pedestrian on the side of the road also was hit.
As a result of the accident, Elizabeth Borkholder, 83, of New Paris, a passenger in the van, was pronounced dead at the scene.
The driver of the Kia Optima - Juan Solano Cruz, 18 - was arrested and incarcerated in the Elkhart County Jail on preliminary charges of operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated resulting in death.
Several individuals were flown and taken by ambulance to area hospitals for their injuries.
Assisting agencies are the Elkhart County Sheriff’s Office, Elkhart County Coroner’s Office, Nappanee Fire/EMS, New Paris Fire/EMS, Wakarusa Fire/EMS, Tri-County Ambulance and Bremen Fire/EMS.