Three vehicles were involved in two hit-and-run accidents on U.S. 30, west of CR 200 N Friday morning, including this vehicle which ended up in the median on U.S. 30. The vehicle which left the scene was stopped in Marshall County. Photo by Gary Nieter, Times-Union.
Three vehicles were involved in two hit-and-run accidents on U.S. 30, west of CR 200 N Friday morning, including this vehicle which ended up in the median on U.S. 30. The vehicle which left the scene was stopped in Marshall County. Photo by Gary Nieter, Times-Union.
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An Illinois man was arrested after being involved in two hit-and-run accidents Friday.

Orlando R. Emery Jr., 31, Oswego, Ill., was booked into the Kosciusko County Jail at 8:40 a.m. Friday for leaving the scene of a injury crash on a $450 preliminary bond.

According to one Warsaw Police Department accident report, at approximately 6:09 a.m. Friday WPD officers responded to the area of Lake City Highway and East CR 200N, Warsaw, for a report of a hit-and-run accident.

Emery stated he was driving a Penske Truck Leasing Co. truck westbound on U.S. 30 and was trying to change lanes due to a traffic light changing and not being able to slow down. Emery said as he was trying to change lanes, a 2013 Dodge Journey, driven by Isaiah J. Griggs, 35, Fort Wayne, began to merge into Emery’s lane. Emery’s vehicle hit the center right side of Griggs’ vehicle. Emery’s vehicle sustained front bumper damage.

Griggs said he was driving westbound on Lake City Highway. Griggs said he wasn’t sure what happened to cause the accident but said he didn’t think Emery saw Griggs’ vehicle when Emery was trying to get over into Griggs’ lane. Emery’s vehicle then struck Griggs’ vehicle.

Estimated damage for the first accident was $10,000-$25,000.

Then, according to a second WPD accident report, at approximately 6:16 a.m. Friday Emery was driving west on U.S. 30 in the truck when he hit a 2021 Jeep Cherokee, driven by Jaclyn M. Franks, 34, Warsaw. After hitting Franks’ vehicle, Emery continued west on U.S. 30.

Franks said she was driving westbound on U.S. 30, just west of CR 200N, when she heard an accident behind her. When she looked in her rearview mirror, she saw Emery driving toward her. Franks was rear-ended by Emery’s truck. Franks’ vehicle sustained damage to the rear bumper and was towed from the scene.

A passenger in Franks’ vehicle, Jason W. Cole, 44, Warsaw, complained of head pain. He was checked out by EMS on scene but stated he didn’t want to go to the hospital.

The estimated damage for the second accident was $10,000-$25,000.

Emery was apprehended in Marshall County in the area of U.S. 30 and Gumwood Road.