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A Leesburg teen-ager is in critical condition at a Fort Wayne hospital after pulling into the path of another vehicle at the intersection of CRs 450N and 175E, near Warsaw.
A witness to the accident told police that Trish Wagoner, 16, of East CR 750N, probably didn't see the vehicle driven by Travis Johnson, 19, of North CR 400E, Warsaw, because the sun was brightly shining in the direction she was looking.
According to the Kosciusko County Sheriff's Department, Wagoner was southbound on CR 175E and stopped at the stop sign before pulling into the path of Johnson's eastbound vehicle.
Johnson told police he saw Wagoner creeping into the intersection, but didn't think she was going to pull out. She entered the intersection as he neared at about 55 mph and Johnson was unable to stop before the collision occurred.
Wagoner's car was struck on driver's side at the passenger door. She suffered head injuries and was unconscious at the scene. Emergency personnel transported Wagoner to Kosciusko Community Hospital before she was airlifted to Parkview Memorial Hospital, Fort Wayne. Wagoner was wearing a seat belt at the time of the accident.
As is customary when serious accidents occur, Johnson was tested for alcohol and drug use. Both tests returned negative results.
