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Alcohol is believed to be a factor in a Monday evening accident south of Warsaw that left a women dead and two men injured.
Michelle A. Eccles, 36, of West CR 250S, Warsaw, was pronounced dead at Kosciusko Community Hospital after the 5:34 p.m. accident on CR 250S, 2,000 feet west of Ferguson Road. She was pinned in the wreckage of her car, was not breathing and was unconscious with internal injuries. Emergency personnel performed CPR from the scene to KCH, but were unable to revive her.
Brian E. Burris, 28, of West Tyner Drive, Warsaw, suffered internal injuries and was airlifted from KCH to Parkview Memorial Hospital, Fort Wayne, where he was listed in serious condition this morning.
According to the Kosciusko County Sheriff's Department, Eccles was driving eastbound on CR 250S when Burris' westbound vehicle crossed the center and struck Eccles' vehicle head-on. Both Eccles and Burris were pinned in their cars and unconscious when emergency personnel arrived. Neither driver was wearing a seat belt and there were no skid marks from either of the cars prior to impact.
A passenger in Eccles' car, her 31-year-old husband, Chris Eccles of CR 250S, Warsaw, suffered facial injuries and was conscious at the scene. He was treated at KCH and released.
Police said Burris had a blood-alcohol content of .18 percent. A driver is considered legally drunk if he has a blood-alcohol content of .10 percent or greater. Results of the toxicology report were forwarded to the prosecutor for review and charges.
Assisting at the scene were personnel from Warsaw police and fire departments and Multi-Township Emergency Medical Service.
