Car crashes into home in St. Joseph County, critically injuring woman

ST. JOSEPH COUNTY, Ind. – According to the St. Joseph County Police Department, a red Ford Ranger pickup truck crashed into a home in the 51000 block Orange Road, critically injuring a female passenger.

Police say that the pickup was heading southbound on Orange Road when it left the roadway, drove through a fence and struck a house.

The vehicle hit a gas meter, causing a gas leak. The house was damaged significantly.

The resident of the house was uninjured.

Police say the driver of the pickup was 16-year-old Riley Elm of South Bend. Emergency personnel had to assist in removing him from the vehicle. He was transported to the hospital with non life-threatening injuries.

The two passengers were 18-year-old Bradley Beck of St. Joseph County and 19-year-old Emily Elm of South Bend – the sister of the driver.

Beck was transported to the hospital with minor injuries.

Emily Elm sustained serious injuries during the crash. She fractured her neck and also suffered a back injury. Elm was allegedly sitting on the lap of the other passenger.

The St. Joseph County Fatal Crash Team was activated to help investigate the scene of the crash and will continue to actively investigate the incident.