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MILFORD -ÊOne man is dead and another injured after an early-morning crash near Milford today.
Ricardo R. Lopez, 19, of Warsaw, was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident by the Kosciusko County Coroner's Office. Philip J. Schmucker, 18, of Milford, was transported with leg and head injuries to Kosciusko Community Hospital, where he is listed in fair condition.
According to the Kosciusko County Sheriff's Department, around 5:45 a.m. today, Lopez was driving a 1997 Chrysler heading west on CR 1350N, near Milford, when he crossed the center line for an unknown reason. Lopez's Chrysler then entered the path of an eastbound 1994 Chevrolet Camaro driven by Schmucker.
After hitting the Camaro, Lopez's car went out of control and struck a tree on the north side of CR 1350N.
The Camaro also lost control and came to rest in a beanfield on the south side of CR 1350N.
When Kosciusko County Sheriff's deputies arrived at the scene, they found the Chrysler in a tree and the Camaro in the beanfield nearly 100 feet away.
Alcohol is not believed to be a factor in the crash, but the incident remains under investigation.
The Kosciusko County Sheriff's Department was assisted in the investigation by Milford EMS, Nappanee EMS, Syracuse EMS, Milford Fire Department, the Indiana State Police and Kosciusko County Coroner's Office.
