Cow causes five-vehicle crash Thursday morning

ELKHART COUNTY, Ind. -- The Elkhart County Sheriff's Office reports on Thursday, June 27, around 3:49 a.m., near S.R. 19 and C.R. 30, deputies responded to a five-vehicle crash with injuries.

The report states a 1998 Mercedes ML320, driven by 69-year-old David Brownbridge of Mishawaka, was travelling north on S.R. 19 when he struck a cow, which was then pushed into the southbound lane.

A 2017 Kawasaki ZX1, ridden by 30-year-old Michael Lester of South Bend, was travelling south on S.R. 19 when he then struck the cow.

A 2007 Honda Civic, driven by 40-year-old Nicholas Odell of Berrien Center, Mich., was traveling south behind Lester when he also struck the cow.

A 2021 Dodge Ram 1500V4, driven by 44-year-old Jason Derda of South Bend, was traveling south behind Odell when he rear ended the Civic.

A 2008 Ford Edge, driven by 44-year-old Kristy Barton of Elkhart, was traveling south on S.R. 19 when she didn’t see the cars pulled off the road and struck the dead cow as well.

The report states Brownbridge was checked out on scene for complaints of neck and back pain and taken to Elkhart General Hospital.

Lester had complaints of arm and wrist pain and was also taken to Elkhart General Hospital for a possible broken wrist.

Derda was checked out on scene for complaints of neck and back pain and taken to Elkhart General Hospital.

Authorities do not believe drugs or alcohol to be a factor in this crash.