Eight Cars Collide Near Mentone

MENTONE - An eight-car traffic accident Friday in Mentone resulted in only minor injuries to five of the drivers and passengers involved.

The collision, which occurred Friday at 3:20 p.m. on Ind. 19, south of West Pearl Street, occurred when a car stopped suddenly to turn left.

Alan D. Rensberger, 16, North Johnson Street, Akron, stopped to avoid the car turning left, and was struck from behind by Heidi Lynn Michaelson, 17, of South Viking Drive, Mentone.

Michaelson was in turn struck by Bradley J. Miller, 16, of West Main Street, Mentone, who was hit by Jason Isaiah Skees, 17, West Snyder Road, Warsaw.

Skees was followed by Alan Lee Young, 18, of South CR 780W, Mentone, who went off the road to avoid the cars in front. Young hit a sign beside the road, and the following car, Kean Lytle, 35, of Huntington, stopped suddenly to avoid Young and was hit by Adam K. Smith, 16, South CR 950W, Mentone.

The last car in the line, driven by Sara Jane Miller, 16, hit the back of Smith's car.

Michaelson reported suffering neck pain, as did Miller and her passengers Dora Morales, 16, North Oak Street, Mentone, and Lisa Morales, 14, same address. Another passenger in Miller's car, Sarah Bruner, 17, of West Jackson Street, Mentone, reported pelvic pain.

All the injured were treated at the scene.

Rensberger's car reportedly had less than $750 damage; Michaelson's, Miller's and Young's cars had $750-$1,000 damage; Skees' and Lytle's cars had $1,000-$2,500 damage; and Smith's and Miller's cars had $2,500-$5,000 damage.

The accident was investigated by Mentone Police Department and Kosciusko County Sheriff's Department.