Juvenile driver cited for following too closely in crash that sends two to hospital

ABC 57

ELKHART COUNTY, Ind. -- A 16-year-old girl was driving a 2018 Jeep Wrangler north on S.R. 19 in Elkhart County on Wednesday evening when they rear-ended a 2024 Nissan Pathfinder as it was attempting to turn into a driveway. 

The Elkhart County Sheriff's Office got the call around 7:20 p.m. on Oct. 30 and when they arrived on scene, they found three vehicles with all of their airbags in use and two injured drivers. 

Authorities say a 62-year-old woman was driving north on S.R. 19 and slowed to turn left into a driveway in the 70,000 block of S.R. 19, near C.R. 48, when the Jeep crashed into the back of her Pathfinder.

"The impact from the collision caused [the Pathfinder] to enter the northbound lane and strike [a 2007 Toyota Yaris] head on," ECSO deputies said. "All vehicles had full airbag deployments with [the Yaris] having minor entrapment."

The driver of the Jeep was uninjured, but the driver of the Pathfinder complained of body pain from the impact and was taken by EMS to Elkhart General Hospital for treatment of non-incapacitating injuries.

The driver of the Yaris, a 51-year-old Nappanee man, had cuts on their head and lower extremity injuries. He was taken by EMS to EGH for treatment.

All vehicles required towing and there where were no noticeable equipment issues with the involved vehicles.

Drugs and alcohol do not appear to be a factor.

The juvenile was cited for Following Too Closely.

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