(SILVER LAKE) - Authorities are investigating a serious three-vehicle crash that shut down U.S. 20 near Silver Lake for about two hours Saturday evening.
Just before 6 p.m. on Jan. 24, Steuben County sheriff's deputies and emergency responders were dispatched to U.S. 20 in rural Pleasant Township after a 911 caller reported a crash involving three vehicles and possible entrapment.
When first responders arrived, they found a white passenger car with heavy front-end damage in the westbound lane and a bronze SUV overturned in a ditch on the north side of the highway. A blue Jeep was also located farther west near County Road 370 West on the south side of U.S. 20.
The drivers of the white car and the bronze SUV were trapped inside their vehicles. Rescue crews from the Angola Fire Department extricated both drivers so they could receive emergency medical care.
Due to the severity of the crash, the Steuben County Fatal Accident/Alcohol Crash Team was called to assist with the investigation.
According to preliminary findings, a blue 1999 Jeep Cherokee driven by 17-year-old Landen Lane-Granger of Angola was traveling westbound on U.S. 20 when it crossed left of center near CR 370 West and collided nearly head-on with an eastbound white 2014 Hyundai Azera driven by 28-year-old Jaci Miller of Jones, Michigan. The impact pushed Miller's vehicle into the path of another westbound vehicle.
That vehicle, a bronze 2010 Honda CR-V driven by 46-year-old James Isfalt of Sturgis, Michigan, was struck nearly head-on and forced off the north side of the roadway, where it overturned.
Miller and Isfalt were transported by Steuben County EMS to Parkview Regional Medical Center due to the seriousness of their injuries. Miller reported pain throughout her body, and Isfalt suffered severe trauma to his lower leg. Lane-Granger was taken to Cameron Hospital with a possible broken leg.
Investigators said seatbelts were in use and airbags deployed in the vehicles. Snow-covered roads and falling snow were present at the time of the crash. Alcohol is not believed to be a factor.
The crash remains under investigation. Agencies assisting at the scene included Angola Fire, Angola Police, Steuben County EMS, and the Indiana State Police.