Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
LEESBURG - A Warsaw man is in stable condition after a near head-on collision with a semi tractor/trailer late Wednesday morning in Leesburg.
Laren D. Craddock, 31, of North CR 600E, Warsaw, suffered internal abdominal injuries in the 11:40 a.m. accident on Ind. 15, 73 feet south of Church Street, Leesburg. He was admitted to the intensive care unit of Kosciusko Community Hospital.
According to Lt. Steve Knispel of the Kosciusko County Sheriff's Department, Craddock swerved across the center line and into the path of an oncoming semi rig for an unknown reason.
Craddock's car struck the wheels of the semi tractor before the vehicle bounced off and went under the trailer, breaking off two of the trailer's axles. Craddock's car then came from under the trailer on the opposite side. Craddock was trapped in the wreckage until firefighters extricated him.
Knispel said the reaction by the semi driver, William J. Sherlock, 63, of Illinois, most likely saved Craddock's life. Sherlock apparently swerved away from Craddock's car as it came toward him, avoiding a direct head-on collision.
Knispel witnessed the accident while he was about to make a traffic stop on another motorist on Ind. 15.
Damage is estimated at $10,000 to $25,000 to Craddock's car and $25,000 to $50,000 to Sherlock's rig.
The KCSD also investigated a 9 a.m. accident Wednesday on CR 500N, 75 feet west of EMS T18 Lane, near Leesburg.
Jack M. Lowe, 77, of EMS T17A Lane, Leesburg, complained of back pain after the car he was driving struck a parked pickup and trailer. Lowe's car then rolled over. He was treated at KCH and released.
Lowe told police he didn't see the truck and trailer, which the report noted were parked partially in the roadway and did not have any cones, flares or triangles warning motorists. The hazard lights on the trailer were blinking, though.
Damage was estimated at $2,500 to $5,000 to Lowe's car and $1,000 to $2,500 to the pickup and trailer registered to Greene Excavating, Leesburg.
