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Photo by Gary Nieter, Times-Union
Paula D. Ellis, 19, of South Packerton Road, suffered multiple internal injuries in the 5:55 p.m. accident at the intersection of CR 1200N and Syracuse/Webster Road, near Syracuse. The area is commonly known as "Crazy Corners."
A Wawasee Community Schools bus driver told police she saw Ellis' car swerving from side to side on the roadway before it went into a ditch on two wheels. The bus driver said she had to speed up to avoid being struck by the car.
A press release from the Kosciusko County Sheriff's Department indicates that Ellis was westbound on CR 1200N and, as her car crested a hill, Ellis apparently lost control of her vehicle on the wet pavement. As the car left the roadway, it struck an earth embankment, which caused the car to roll over. The vehicle then struck a utility pole with its roof, pinning Ellis inside the car. Authorities said Ellis was wearing her seat belt.
Members of the Syracuse Fire Department extricated Ellis from her vehicle and she was taken to Goshen General Hospital for treatment before being airlifted to Parkview Hospital.
Damage is estimated at $5,000 to $10,000 to Ellis' car and less than $750 to the REMC pole.
The accident remains under investigation.
Also assisting at the scene were personnel from Indiana State Police, Syracuse Police Department and Syracuse Emergency Medical Service.
