Elkhart County Coroner’s Office confirmed the identities of the three dead occupants of the Dodge Journey from Thursday’s crash on Ind. 15, south of CR 146.
The front-seat passenger was Ana Lilia Soto Martinez, 28, Zacatecas, Mexico; driver Estefania Esparza Acevedo, 23, Zacatecas, Mexico; and rear passenger Manuel Natanie Esparza Acevedo, 22, also of Zacatecas, Mexico, according to a news release from the Elkhart County Sheriff’s Office.
The release also states that Ana Lilia Soto Martinez and Estefania Esparza Acevedo were wearing their safety restraints, but Estefania Esparza Acevedo was ejected from the vehicle. Manuel Natanie Esparza Acevedo was not wearing safety restraints and also was ejected from the vehicle.
The accident occurred at about 3:02 p.m. Thursday on Ind. 15, south of CR 146, according to a previously released ECSO crash report.
The report states the 2009 Dodge Journey was traveling south on Ind. 15, south of CR 146. A 2020 International LT625 semi-tractor, driven by Mark Labouef, 49, of Almo, Ky., was traveling north on Ind. 15, south of CR 146. The third vehicle, a 2017 Chrysler Pacifica, driven by Lezlie Hein, 34, of Warsaw, was traveling south on Ind. 15, directly behind the Dodge Journey.
The Dodge abruptly turned left, crossing the center line into the northbound lane, directly in front of the semi-tractor, the report states. The Dodge’s passenger side collided with the front of the semi-tractor. The Pacifica was hit with debris.
Two occupants of the Dodge were ejected from the vehicle. The other passenger of the Dodge was entrapped in the vehicle. All three occupants of the Dodge were pronounced dead at the scene.
The other drivers of the other two vehicles did not report any injuries.
The Dodge Journey sustained heavy damage all over, while the semi-tractor sustained heavy front-end damage. The Pacifica had minor front-end damage.