Two local teenagers are dead after fleeing police and crashing into three other vehicles on U.S. 30 in Warsaw Saturday night, seriously injuring two Michigan residents.

Pronounced dead at the scene by the Kosciusko County Coroner’s Office were Jacob Slone, 19, Warsaw, and his passenger, Paige Jefferson, 16, Warsaw.

[[In-content Ad]]



Injured in the crash was the driver of a silver 2017 GMC, Miguel Linares Jr., 34, Bloomfield Hills, Mich., and his passenger, Nora Linares, 35, also of Bloomfield Hills. Miguel Linares suffered critical and potentially life-threatening injuries, according to a news release from the Indiana State Police Sunday. Nora Linares suffered injuries believed to be serious but not life-threatening. Both are being treated at Parkview Hospital in Fort Wayne.

This morning a spokesman with Parkview said Nora was in fair condition and Miguel was in serious condition.

Around 9:22 p.m. Saturday, an Indiana State Police trooper was responding to a theft that allegedly happened at Meijer, 1200 Lake City Highway, Warsaw.

According to Warsaw Police Department Detective and Public Information Officer Ryan Coble this morning, both Slone and Jefferson were inside Meijer. Slone was reported to have stolen electronics, while Jefferson concealed makeup, all items totaling less than $100.

When a description of the suspect’s vehicle came out across the police radio, an ISP trooper was eastbound approaching Meijer already, according to ISP Public Information Officer Sgt. Ted Bohner Sunday afternoon.

The suspect vehicle then pulled out of Meijer in front of him, and the trooper activated his lights.

The suspect vehicle then fled eastbound on U.S. 30 and in less than 1-1/2 miles drove through a red light at the intersection of U.S. 30 and Parker Street, crashing into three other vehicles, Bohner said.

The other two vehicles involved in the crash included a Volkswagen with three people inside and a pickup truck with only the driver, Bohner said. No other serious injuries were reported.

Eastbound traffic on U.S. 30 was shut down for crash reconstruction, but was reopened around 4 a.m. Sunday.

Slone was arrested Nov. 25 for possession of paraphernalia and probation violation; and on Feb. 24 for criminal mischief.

The crash investigation is on-going, according to the release.

Anyone who may have witnessed this incident is asked to call First Sgt. Kevin Smith at the Indiana State Police Fort Wayne Post at 260-432-8661.