SYRACUSE – Two teenagers were transported to a Fort Wayne hospital after crashing into a tree during an early morning pursuit Saturday in Kosciusko County. Both were listed in fair condition this morning at Parkview Regional Medical Center. Andrew W. Gabbard, 19, Wawaka, and his passenger, Alexandra I. Hernandez, 18, Cromwell, were airlifted by Samaritan to the hospital. Gabbard was listed in serious but stable condition with a possible broken arm and other minor injuries over the weekend, according to a press release from the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Department. Hernandez was listed in critical condition over the weekend with multiple fractures, internal injuries and a lower leg amputation. Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Department deputies responded to a domestic battery incident early Saturday morning in the Syracuse area and attempted to locate one of the suspects that had fled the original scene. A KCSD deputy arrived at a residence on CR 1300N near Warner Road shortly after 2 a.m. but was unable to get anyone to answer the door. The officer left but subsequently noticed a vehicle that had been parked at the home immediately drive-off within minutes of his departure from the residence. The deputy caught up to the vehicle, described as a 2007 red, Pontiac G6 and attempted to make traffic stop on CR 1300N. The suspect vehicle failed to stop for the officer and continued to flee, eventually traveling eastbound on CR 1250N. As the suspect vehicle disregarded the stop sign at the intersection of East Wawasee Drive, it began to skid sideways out of control and struck two pine trees on the north side of roadway. The suspect vehicle sheared off one of the trees and rolled over onto the roadway, trapping its occupants. Syracuse EMS and fire rescue arrived to extricate Gabbard and Hernandez from the vehicle. The Kosciusko County Fatal Alcohol Crash Team stated the crash is still currently under investigation at this time pending legal blood draw results as required by law. FACT investigators will review the information gathered and forward it to the Kosciusko County Prosecutor’s Office for examination of potential charges. The Kosciusko County FACT investigation team was assisted at the scene by the Syracuse-Turkey Creek Township EMS and Fire Department, Syracuse Police Department, Warsaw Police Department and the KCSD.
