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PIERCETON - A Pierceton man was listed in critical condition after being airlifted to Parkview Hospital, Fort Wayne, following a one-car accident on U.S. 30 Friday morning.
Virgil M. Van Houten, 64, of Division Road, Pierceton, was driving a 1987 Plymouth Reliant on U.S. 30E Friday around 11:05 a.m. when his car veered off the south side of the road. The car went down an embankment and hit a large NIPSCO utility pole before knocking down a state highway fence.
Witnesses said they did not see brake lights before Van Houten's vehicle left the right side of the road.
When Kosciusko County Sheriff's Department deputies arrived at the scene of the crash, Van Houten was conscious and complained of chest pain. He was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the accident.
Due to heavy rains Thursday night and Friday morning, the ground was too soft for the Samaritan Air Ambulance to land. The helicopter had to land in the eastbound lanes of U.S. 30.
Van Houten was listed in critical condition at Parkview Hospital around 4 p.m. Friday.
Police believe Van Houten fell asleep while driving, causing the accident. Van Houten told police he did not remember what happened.
Alcohol or drugs are not believed to be a factor in the crash.
