SYRACUSE – A Milford man is in critical condition following a single-vehicle crash Monday night west of Syracuse. Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Dept. deputies and emergency personnel responded Monday at approximately 7:58 p.m. to the intersection of Bowser Road and CR 375E after receiving a 911 call regarding a crash. Responders arrived and located a 2001 GMC Yukon in the roadway, with the driver partially ejected from the vehicle, according to a press release from KCSD. Milford and Syracuse fire departments extracted the driver, Scott P. Wippel, 49, Milford. Wippel was immediately airlifted to Lutheran Hospital, Fort Wayne, with multiple injuries. Kosciusko County Fatal Alcohol Crash Team crash reconstructionists preliminarily determined that Wippel had been westbound on Bowser Road from Syracuse. Wippel had purportedly stopped and picked up a passenger, Cody R. Stuckman, 21, North Webster, who had been walking along the roadway. As Wippel continued westbound, his SUV left the roadway near the curve at CR 375E, striking several trees on the south side of the road, before rolling over and landing in the middle of Bowser Road. Stuckman had minor injuries and was treated at the scene, the release states. Wippel is listed in critical condition at Lutheran Hospital. Kosciusko County FACT members stated that the crash is still under investigation. Kosciusko County FACT was assisted at the scene by members of the Milford Fire Department, Syracuse/Turkey Creek Township EMS and Fire Territory, Lutheran EMS and the Syracuse Police Department.
