(Elkhart County, IN)-The Indiana State Police is investigating a three vehicle crash that occurred earlier this afternoon which involved an Elkhart County Sheriff Deputy and sent two people to the hospital.
Preliminary investigation by Trooper Ben Werner indicated that at approximately 3:36 p.m. a 2009 Ford Crown Victoria police car driven by 27 year old Eric D. Schuman of Elkhart was northbound on County Road 17 approaching the intersection with County Road 18. Schuman, who was on-duty and not on an emergency run, entered the left turn lane with the intention of turning westbound onto County Road 18 when, as he entered the intersection, was struck by a southbound 2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo driven by 58 year old Nancy L. Stoelting of Elkhart.
After colliding with the police car, Stoelting's vehicle struck a 2012 Chevrolet Traverse driven by 36 year old Kevin P. Harkless of Goshen. Harkless' vehicle was stationary at the time on County Road 18 facing eastbound at the intersection.
Although all three drivers were seat belted, both Schuman (complaint of back pain and arm injury) and Stoelting (spinal injury) were taken to a local hospital for treatment. Harkless was not injured and the conditions of Schuman and Stoelting are not known at this time.
