Trailer Markings, Cell Phone Use Possibly to Blame for Monday Accident
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By Craig Brosman-
According to the police report filed by Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Dept. deputy Shawn Castillo, Lonnie D. Coffing Jr., 48, of 5918 E. Pierceton Road, Pierceton, was backing his semi and flatbed trailer into his driveway when the collision occurred.
Coffing had stopped in the eastbound lane, while Chris Conwell, 39, of 2611 S. CR 550W, Warsaw, was driving westbound. Coffing then positioned his vehicle across the westbound lane of traffic in order to back his vehicle into the driveway. He used all appropriate safety measures possible and even flashed his lights at Conwell before she struck the trailer.
Coffing told Castillo that he could tell Conwell was on her cell phone at the time she struck the trailer.
Conwell said she did not see anything in her lane until just prior to the collision. She also said that she saw a small light at the last second before the collision.
Castillo observed that the semi’s flashers and lights were on, but there were no reflective markings that was on the trailer. There also were two yellow side lights that were on when he arrived as well.
Conwell and her baby were transported to Kosciusko Community Hospital for minor head bleeding from when the vehicle slid under the trailer, trapping Conwell’s late model Chevrolet sedan.
KCH refused to comment on the condition of Conwell and her baby, or if they were still in the hospital at press time.[[In-content Ad]]
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According to the police report filed by Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Dept. deputy Shawn Castillo, Lonnie D. Coffing Jr., 48, of 5918 E. Pierceton Road, Pierceton, was backing his semi and flatbed trailer into his driveway when the collision occurred.
Coffing had stopped in the eastbound lane, while Chris Conwell, 39, of 2611 S. CR 550W, Warsaw, was driving westbound. Coffing then positioned his vehicle across the westbound lane of traffic in order to back his vehicle into the driveway. He used all appropriate safety measures possible and even flashed his lights at Conwell before she struck the trailer.
Coffing told Castillo that he could tell Conwell was on her cell phone at the time she struck the trailer.
Conwell said she did not see anything in her lane until just prior to the collision. She also said that she saw a small light at the last second before the collision.
Castillo observed that the semi’s flashers and lights were on, but there were no reflective markings that was on the trailer. There also were two yellow side lights that were on when he arrived as well.
Conwell and her baby were transported to Kosciusko Community Hospital for minor head bleeding from when the vehicle slid under the trailer, trapping Conwell’s late model Chevrolet sedan.
KCH refused to comment on the condition of Conwell and her baby, or if they were still in the hospital at press time.[[In-content Ad]]
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