The driver of a vehicle involved in a fatal North Webster accident in July was found to have been under the influence of methamphetamine at the time of the crash. A warrant for the arrest of the driver, Matthew G. Wagoner, 29, Syracuse, was issued Tuesday. He faces multiple felony charges for his involvement in the accident that killed Jeremy Valentine, 39, Wynnewood, Pa. Officers had responded to the July 20 crash just after 3 p.m. near the intersection of Esterbrook Drive and Ind. 13 in North Webster, according to a Kosciusko County Fatal Alcohol Crash Team press release issued after the accident occurred. Preliminary investigation determined that Wagoner was traveling northbound on Ind. 13, crossed the center line and struck a southbound vehicle driven by Valentine. Valentine was pronounced dead at the scene from blunt force trauma. A witness told police he observed Wagoner driving erratically, crossing the center line and striking Valentine’s vehicle, according to an affidavit filed by the Kosciusko County Prosecutor’s Office. Wagoner had been traveling with two young passengers, Tyson, 2, and Matthew C. Wagoner, 5. All three were transported to Parkview Regional Medical Center, with Matthew C. Wagoner listed in critical condition. Valentine was traveling with three passengers: Seana, 38, Molly, 9, and Luke Valentine, 7, and the three were transported to Lutheran Hospital, Fort Wayne. Seana Valentine was unconcious at the scene and classified as in very critical condition. Before being transported to Parkview, Wagoner refused to consent to a blood draw for alcohol and drug testing at the scene. Through the execution of search warrants, the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Department obtained a blood sample from Wagoner at Parkview following the accident and results showed he had meth in his system at the time of the crash. The warrant for Wagoner’s arrest charges him with one count of neglect of a dependant resulting in serious bodily injury; one count of operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated causing death; three counts of operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated causing serious bodily injury; and one count of operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated with a minor passenger in the vehicle. All are felony charges. As of late this morning, Wagoner had not been arrested, though a bond as been set at $250,000.
