Six injured in U.S. 33 crash

February 7, 2011

Post & Mail photo/Nicole Ott — Smith Township volunteer firefighters work to free patients trapped in vehicles after a two-car crash Saturday on U.S. 33.

CHURUBUSCO — A two-car collision on U.S. 33 near CR 650 East Saturday left six injured and a baby unharmed.
Authorities arrived at approximately 4:30 p.m. Saturday to the scene with five people trapped in their cars and one unconscious.
Four people were transported from the scene with incapacitating injuries, according to police reports.
According to Sergeant Mike Engle of the Whitley County Sheriff’s Department, a Chevrolet Trailblazer was eastbound on U.S. 33 and lost control due to poor road conditions.
The Trailblazer, driven by Michelle Hottman, 50, of New Haven slid into the westbound lane and was struck by a Chevrolet Monte Carlo on the passenger side.
Jack Bryer, 19, of Etna Green, driver of the Monte Carlo, along with passenger Shanelle Bryer, 19, were trapped in their car. The pair were transported with head and back injuries.
A baby also in the car, was the only person leaving the scene without injury.
Passengers in Hottman’s vehicle Gail Simone, 54 and Joyce McGiven, 58, were taken by EMS with back and head injuries. The driver and a fourth occupant, Cheryl Zeller, 57, suffered non-incapacitating back and arm injuries, according to the report.
U.S. 33 was shut down for nearly an hour, while Smith Township firemen and medics worked to extricate the drivers.
Several ambulances from both Whitley and Noble counties took the patients to Parkview Main in Fort Wayne.