Buggy crash leaves two in hospital

Two Geneva residents are being treated at Lutheran Hospital in Fort Wayne after a vehicle and a buggy were involved in an accident Wednesday in Bearcreek Township.
Leah C. Eicher, 24, 10406 E. county road 000, Geneva, is in fair condition, while Sara G. Eicher, 1, is in serious condition.
Another buggy passenger, Ruben G. Eicher, 5, was treated and released.
The Eichers were transported to the hospital by two Lutheran Air helicopters.
Wesley B. Romine, 28, 101 S. Pierce St., Portland, told Jay County Sheriff’s Office he believes he fell asleep while driving south on U.S. 27.
His 2009 Ford Escape struck the buggy north of county road 400 North, sending it airborne, according to Elmer Vansteenis, 462 W. 200 South, Portland, who saw the accident in his rearview mirror. The Eichers were thrown from the buggy.
Romine’s Escape went off the east side of the road, and the horse and buggy went off the west side.
Damage in the 7:48 a.m. accident was estimated between $5,000 and $10,000.

Turning accident
Two drivers were involved in an accident Wednesday morning on Division Road near county road 200 East.
Jarin L. Tucker, 30, 6438 W. 1000 South 90, Montpelier, was driving east on Division Road behind a dump truck. He slowed down to turn north into a driveway, and saw no westbound vehicles.
Andy D. Elder, 56, 124 E. Washington St., Portland, was driving west in a 1996 Chevrolet S10 and could not avoid striking the 2011 Chevrolet Silverado Tucker was driving as it turned into the driveway.
Elder’s vehicle then went off the north side of the road and struck a Jay County Rural Electric Membership Corporation pole.
The Silverado is registered to Troxel Equipment, 5068 E. 100 North, Bluffton.
Damage in the 7:25 a.m. accident was estimated between $5,000 and $10,000.

Rear-ended
Two Portland teenagers were involved in an accident Wednesday afternoon at the intersection of county road 200 West and Indiana 26.
Heather C. Stinson, 17, 213 W. Glassford Avenue, was stopped behind Zavier J. Garringer, 16, 7959 W. Indiana 26.
Stinson told Jay County Sheriff’s Office her foot slipped from the brake pedal to the gas pedal, causing the 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser she was driving to hit the 1998 Honda CRV in front of her.
The PT Cruiser is registered to Tracy R. Stinson, same address.
The Cruiser is registered to Eric J. Garringer, same address.
Damage in the 3:23 p.m. accident was estimated between $2,500 and $5,000.
Backing accident
A UPS driver backed his vehicle into a Bryant woman’s car Wednesday afternoon on county road 650 North west of county road 650 West.
Greg A. Kinder, 44, 15255 N. county road 550 East, Eaton, passed the residence he was delivering to, stopped and backed up without seeing the vehicle behind him.
The 2001 Freightliner struck a 2011 Chrysler 200 driven by Ashley M. Knapschafer, 32, 6700 N. 375 West, Bryant.
She attempted to back up but was unable to do so in time to avoid an accident.
The Freightliner is registered to UPS, 3147 W. 169th Place, Hammond.
Damage in the 2:08 p.m. accident was estimated between $1,000 and $2,500.