SILVER LAKE - Two women were badly hurt Wednesday after the motorcycle they were riding on was struck by a sportscar, severing both of the riders’ left legs.
Police and medics were called just after 4:30 p.m. Wednesday to the intersection of Ind. 14 and County Farm Road, Silver Lake, where a 2002 Honda motorcycle had been hit by a 1993 Chevrolet Camero, leaving the motorcycle’s riders with major leg injuries.
According to a Kosciusko County Fatal Alcohol Crash Team report, the motorcycle, driven by Terri A. Penrod, 54, of Silver Lake, with 53-year-old Sue A. Raber, also of Silver Lake, was westbound on Ind. 14 approaching County Farm Road, with a second motorcycle in the rear and the Camero in the rear of that. The Camero’s driver, Joshua J. Crawford, 26, of Silver Lake, told police he saw the right turn signal of the motorcycle in front of him, and proceeded to pass in the opposite lane - failing to see the Honda motorcycle, the report said.
The Camero struck the left-turning Honda motorcycle on its broad-side. The impact severed both Penrod’s and Raber’s left legs, the report said. Portions of amputated legs were found near the women.
A witness to the crash - 21-year-old Stephen L. Wilson of Mexico, Ind. - put tourniquets on both women’s legs, police said. Investigators said Wilson’s quick actions might have saved the women from bleeding to death.
Both Penrod and Raber were airlifted to Parkview Hospital in Fort Wayne in serious condition. An updated condition was not available as of press time.
Crawford was not hurt in the crash. Police said he was driving with a suspended driver’s license. The Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Department said the case will be forwarded to the Kosciusko County Prosecutor’s Office for review.
