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LAGRANGE COUNTY - A motorcyclist died from his injuries after a multiple-vehicle accident Wednesday in Lagrange County.
According to a news release from the Indiana State Police, around 2:45 p.m. Wednesday, ISP troopers responded to a crash on U.S. 30, near CR 350W, in Lagrange county involving five vehicles.
The preliminary investigation indicated a silver Kia, driven by Crystal Williams, 41, Mishawaka, was stopped on U.S. 20 West near CR 350W. A blue Harley-Davidson motorcycle, driven by David Zinkie, 67, Lagrange, was stopped behind the Kia. A maroon Chrysler Pacifica, driven by Melinda Smith, 35, Lagrange, was stopped behind the motorcycle.
Construction work in that area had traffic slowed to a stop, according to the ISP release. While the vehicles were stopped on U.S. 20, a semi tractor-trailer, driven by Charles Allen 42, Wawaka, was going west and didn’t stop, hitting the Chrysler Pacifica, pushing it into the motorcycle. As a result of the collision, the Pacifica was pushed into oncoming traffic, hitting a white Chevrolet Colorado pickup truck, driven by George Bush, 48, Nappanee.
As a result of the crash, Smith and Bush were injured. They were taken to local hospitals where they were treated and released.
Zinkie was seriously injured in the crash and was airlifted to Parkview Regional Medical Center where he died from his injuries shortly after he arrived. Zinkie was identified by the Allen County Coroner’s Office, and his family has been notified.
ISP were assisted by the Lagrange County Sheriff’s Department, Lagrange City Police Department, Topeka Police Department, Lagrange Fire Department, Parkview EMS, Parkview Samaritan, Lakeland Towing and Avilla Motor Works.
The crash is still under investigation by the ISP and there is no more information to be released at this time, the ISP states.
