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A Michigan man was killed and three Warsaw residents injured Wednesday afternoon in a three-vehicle accident on Ind. 15 near Leesburg.
Edwin Frank Springsteen Jr., 48, of Sheridan, Mich., was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident. He was trapped inside his car, which was engulfed in flames when officers arrived at the scene.
The accident occurred at 4:33 p.m. Wednesday on Ind. 15, south of CR 800N. According to witnesses, Springsteen was headed north on Ind. 15 when he crossed the center line of the road for an unknown reason.
Springsteen's car struck a southbound pickup driven by Densel D. Durst, 53, Warsaw. After the impact, Springsteen's car spun around and hit the front of a third car, driven by Jennifer L. Clark, 19, Warsaw. The two cars came to rest in the northbound lane.
Springsteen was trapped in the car when it burst into flames. Leesburg fire and EMS personnel were first on the scene and unable to rescue Springsteen because of the extent of the fire.
Kosciusko County Coroner Larry Ladd pronounced Springsteen dead at the scene, but is completing a dental analysis for positive identification.
Durst was taken to Kosciusko Community Hospital, then transferred to Parkview Memorial Hospital in Fort Wayne. He is in fair condition after losing four toes and suffering serious damage to his foot and leg.
Clark was treated at KCH for a forehead laceration and released. Her passenger, Alica M. Ware, 17, Warsaw, was treated for minor injuries and released.
Kosciusko County Sheriff's Department is continuing the investigation of the accident. Assisting at the scene were Plain Township EMS, Leesburg Fire Department, Multi-Township EMS and Indiana State Police.
