ATWOOD - The second fatal accident in Kosciusko County in less than a week left one man dead and two injured.
One of the injured was listed in "very critical" condition.Keith Hoffer, 76, Atwood, was pronounced dead at the scene by the Kosciusko County Coroner's Office after his 2001 Dodge Dakota Truck collided with a Volkswagen Jetta driven by Ryan Herrick, 19, Etna Green.
At 2:50 p.m. Tuesday, Kosciusko County Sheriff's Department officer Chris Francis was the first to respond to an accident on Old 30, nearly 200 feet west of CR 800W.
According to a police report, Herrick was westbound on Old 30, attempted to pass a vehicle in the eastbound lane. He returned to the westbound lane, lost control of his vehicle, crossed the center line and struck Hoffer's pickup head on.
The collision caused the Jetta to split into two pieces. The two halves of the car came to rest 30 feet apart. The force of impact also dislodged the engine block from the car.
Joshua Clemons, 20, Bourbon, was a passenger in Herrick's vehicle. Both he and Herrick were airlifted by Samaritan Air Ambulance to Memorial Hospital in South Bend.
According to police, this morning Clemons was listed in "very critical" condition at Memorial Hospital while Herrick was listed as "stable."
The Kosciusko County Fatal Alcohol Crash Team was assisted at the scene by KCSD, Multi-Township EMS, Etna Green Fire and Atwood Fire Department.
The crash remains under investigation. Police believe speed was a factor.
