CROMWELL - A 19-year-old Cromwell woman is dead and two men are in fair condition after a two-vehicle collision Friday afternoon.
According to a press release from the Kosciusko County Sheriff's Department, on July 4 at approximately 5 p.m., the KCSD responded to a personal injury collision 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 Christopher Bardasian, 27, St Louis, Mo. Bardasian sustained extensive injuries and was airlifted to Parkview Hospital, Fort Wayne, for treatment. Bardasian was listed in fair condition as of this morning.
A passenger in the BMW, Richard Weigandt, 65, Minster, Ohio, sustained moderate injuries and also was transported to Parkview Hospital for treatment. Weigandt also was listed in fair condition today.
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."
Syracuse Fire, Syracuse EMS, Syracuse Police, the Kosciusko County Sheriff's Department, Lutheran Air Ambulance and Samaritan Air Ambulance assisted the Kosciusko County Fatal Alcohol Crash Team at the scene. The crash remains under investigation.
