Two women were injured and had to be extricated after a two-vehicle accident Saturday on East Old 30, 200 feet west of North CR 600E, Warsaw.
According to the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Office accident report, at approximately 2:33 p.m. Saturday, Kosciusko County Dispatch received a report of an accident in the area of East Old 30 and North CR 600E involving two vehicles where both drivers were reported to be entrapped. Air bags in both vehicles were reported to be deployed.
Upon arrival at the scene, deputies saw a 2014 Chevrolet, driven by Jo-Lee R. Barnes, 34, EMS B3A Lane, Leesburg, laying on the north side of Old 30 facing the east. A 2002 Honda CRV, driven by Mackenzie A. Gunter, 24, Kokomo, was on the south side of Old 30 facing west.
Emergency personnel began extrication upon arrival.
Gunter said she was driving 50 miles per hour prior to impact. She said she glanced at her cell phone for a split second and, when she looked back up, Barnes’ vehicle was coming head-on with Gunter’s vehicle and she was unable to avoid the crash.
Barnes said she was driving west on Old 30, but did not remember anything about the accident.
According to the accident report, there was a large cut in the asphalt in the eastbound lane of Old 30 that had skid marks, trails of liquid and debris on the roadway trailing to each vehicle. It lead officers to believe Barnes’ vehicle crossed the center line into the eastbound lane, hitting Gunter’s vehicle.
Barnes had a abdomen/pelvis fracture dislocation and was airlifted to a hospital in Fort Wayne; Gunter had minor bleeding to the knee/lower leg/foot.
Damage was estimated at $25,000-$50,000.