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BREMEN - Three area teenagers were injured Friday afternoon in a three-vehicle collision.
All three of the teens were transported to the Elkhart General Hospital with injuries suffered in the crash. Kassey Decke, 16, Nappanee, and Bethany Etsinger, 17, New Paris, were treated and released with minor injuries. Kelsey Mikel, 16, Wakarusa, remains in critical condition at the hospital as of Friday night.
According to an Indiana State Police report, at approximately 5:41 p.m. Friday, the ISP responded to an accident at the intersection of CR 9 and CR 50 in Elkhart County.
Officers said Mikel was traveling south on CR 9 at the intersection of CR 50. Traffic on CR 9 is required to stop at this intersection. Decke was traveling west on CR 50. Etsinger was traveling east on CR 50. CR 50 is a through highway at this intersection and vehicles on CR 50 are not required to stop.
Based on witness statements, vehicle position and damage, officers believe Mikel stopped at the intersection but failed to yield to Decke's vehicle. Mikel's van was hit broadside on the driver's side. Almost immediately after the initial collision, Etsinger's vehicle hit Mikel's vehicle on the passenger's side.
All three drivers were wearing their seatbelts at the time of the accident. There were no passengers in any of the three vehicles.
Assisting at the scene were the Elkhart County Sheriff's Department, Nappanee Police Department, Nappanee Fire and EMS and Four Acre Fire Department.
