CROMWELL - Toxicology results are still pending on a Friday accident that killed a Cromwell teenager.
According to the Kosciusko County Sheriff's Department, legal blood screens on Christopher Bardasian, 27, St. Louis, Mo., are still pending.Police said Bardasian suffered injuries and refused chemical testing at the scene, but because of the nature of the accident, blood was drawn at the hospital.
According to a press release from the Kosciusko County Sheriff's Department, on July 4 at approximately 5 p.m., the KCSD responded to two-vehicle accident on East Wawasee Drive, north of CR 1250N, in Kosciusko County. Officers arrived at the scene to find a 2000 Ford Ranger in a field engulfed in flames.
The Ford Ranger was operated by Jessica Ruiz, 19, Cromwell. Ruiz was pronounced dead at the scene from injuries sustained in the crash.
The second vehicle involved was a 2008 BMW, driven by Bardasian. Bardasian sustained extensive injuries and was airlifted to Parkview Hospital, Fort Wayne, for treatment. Bardasian is in fair condition.
A passenger in the BMW, Richard Weigandt, 65, Minster, Ohio, sustained moderate injuries and also was transported to Parkview Hospital for treatment. Weigandt is also listed in fair condition.
The BMW was traveling northbound on East Wawasee Drive north of CR 1250N, and the Ford was traveling southbound at the same location. According to the KCSD press release, "It appears from evidence at the scene that the northbound BMW had traveled left of center at the time of the collision."
KCSD Public Information Officer Chad Hill said the department has not yet ruled if alcohol was a factor in the crash.
