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An early morning accident on CR 1350N, near Nappanee, injured five teenagers Saturday.
Michael R. Troyer, 18, Shipshewana, was driving a truck with four passengers when he ran off the road, 300 feet east of CR 1050W, striking a mailbox, at 3:11 a.m. According to a police report, Troyer said he ran off the road because a passenger, Ashley Ellis, grabbed the steering wheel. Troyer said he attempted to correct the steering, over corrected and ran off the road, hitting the mailbox.
Witnesses in the vehicle say Troyer wrecked the truck after he turned and bent to the right, looking at a passenger, while driving.
A passenger in the truck, Jessica Hochstetler, 17, of Nappanee, was ejected from the vehicle and suffered head injuries. She was admitted into Elkhart General Hospital, where she remains. No information regarding her condition is available.
Ashley Ellis Troyer, 15, of Wakarusa; Katie Miller, 15, Wakarusa; and Kevin Troyer, 18, Shipshewana, all complained of pain and were taken to Elkhart General Hospital, where they were treated and released Saturday.
Michael Troyer was given a breathalyzer test and tested positive for alcohol. His blood alcohol content was 0.16, twice the legal limit for an adult.
