Photo by Deb Patterson
UPDATE: Jonathan S. Hopkins, 20, North SR 14, Akron, was taken to Kosciusko Community Hospital following an accident at 8:19 p.m. Thursday, March 17. The accident was at SR 15 and Southwood Drive, Warsaw. Hopkins complained of pain to the hip and upper leg. He was transported to Lutheran Hospital, Fort Wayne.
Kosciusko County Sheriff’s officers report Hopkins was traveling northbound on SR 15, in his 2015 Dodge Dart when for an unknown reason, according to police, it went off the east side of the road and struck a NIPSCO pole coming to rest in a grass area.
Hopkins told police he fell asleep while driving.
Lutheran EMS – Kosciusko transported Hopkins to the hospital. Warsaw-Wayne Fire Territory responded to extinguish several small grass fires started by downed power lines. Winona Lake Police Officer Joe Bumbaugh and Indiana Conservation Officers assisted at the scene with directing traffic.
NIPSCO responded to repair the downed power lines which reportedly caused a wide spread outage for several hours, including traffic signals in the area.
WARSAW — NIPSCO is at the scene on SR 15 at South Southwood Drive, north of CR 300S, Warsaw, where a vehicle struck a pole, knocking power out to at least two traffic lights north of the intersection. The accident occurred at approximately 8:20 p.m.
The driver of the vehicle has been transported to an area hospital.
Live power lines were knocked loose in the accident causing several small grass fires, and knocking out power to the traffic lights at CR 200S and Rozella. Motorists traveling in those areas should use caution.
Warsaw-Wayne Fire Territory, Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Department, and a Winona Lake officer are at the scene.