LAGRAMGE CO. – On Wednesday, September 24, around 2:45 p.m., Indiana State Police Troopers responded to a crash on US 20 near County Road 350 West in Lagrange County involving five vehicles.
The initial investigation reveals that a silver Kia, driven by Crystal Williams, 41, of Mishawaka, was stopped on US 20 westbound near CR 350W.
A blue Harley Davidson Motorcycle, driven by David Zinkie (67) of Lagrange, stopped behind the silver Kia. Behind the Harley-Davidson motorcycle, a maroon Chrysler Pacifica driven by Melinda Smith, 35, of Lagrange, was stopped.
Construction work in that area had slowed traffic to a stop. While they sat stopped on US 20, a semi-tractor-trailer, driven by Charles Allen, 42, of Wawaka, was westbound and did not stop, hitting the maroon Chrysler Pacifica and pushing it into the Harley Davidson motorcycle.
As a result of the collision, the maroon Chrysler Pacifica was also pushed into oncoming traffic, hitting a white Chevrolet Colorado pick-up truck. The pick-up truck was driven by Ronald Warren, 46, of Knox.
As a result of the crash, Melinda Smith and Ronald Warren were injured. They were transported to local hospitals, where they received treatment and were subsequently released.
David Zinkie, the driver of the motorcycle, was seriously injured in the crash. He was airlifted to Parkview Regional Medical Center, where he succumbed to his injuries shortly after he arrived. The Allen County Coroner’s office identified Mr. Zinkie, and his family has been notified.
The Indiana State Police were assisted by the Lagrange County Sheriff’s Department, Lagrange City Police Department, Topeka Police Department, Lagrange Fire Department, Parkview EMS, Parkview Samaritan, Lakeland Towing, and Avilla Motor Works.
The crash is still under investigation by the Indiana State Police, and no further information is available at this time.
