A Warsaw man was airlifted to a Fort Wayne hospital Monday night after he allegedly ran into the road and was hit by a vehicle.
According to the Warsaw Police Department accident report, at about 8:06 p.m. Monday, Pat Whitaker, 72, Arlington Lane, Warsaw, said she was driving a 2014 Chevrolet Cruze north on Ind. 15 near Plaza Drive in the left lane. She said she was driving about 40 miles per hour, which is the posted speed limit.
Whitaker said she saw a pedestrian, later identified as Andrew Martin, 21, Ross Avenue, Warsaw, running from the grass area and into traffic. She said she didn’t have enough time to stop and her vehicle hit Martin.
Whitaker provided a portable breath test on scene and the result was 0.00% BrAC. Whitaker also submitted to a voluntary chemical test and the results are pending.
Martin was injured and was not able to provide a statement. He was airlifted to Lutheran Fort Wayne.
One witness said they were behind Whitaker’s vehicle and saw something fall to the ground after Whitaker’s brakes were activated.
Another witness said they observed something to their right but couldn’t make out what it was.
A third witness said they were on the grass to the east of Ind. 15 on the grass. The witness saw Martin look both ways and saw Martin run across the street. Martin attempted to jump over the hood of Whitaker’s vehicle, the witness said.
A fourth witness said they were driving south on Ind. 15 and saw what they believed to be a deer standing east of Ind. 15 in the grass. The witness saw Whitaker’s vehicle driving north. The witness saw something run onto Ind. 15. The witness said they only realized it was a person after Martin was hit by Whitaker’s vehicle.
Estimated damage is $25,000-$50,000.