Avilla woman injured in three-car crash

KENDALLVILLE — An Avilla woman was hospitalized following a three-car crash Tuesday morning at Waits Road and S.R. 3.

Mary A. Simmons, 47, complained of chest pain and was transported to Parkview Regional Medical Center in Fort Wayne.

At about 7:35 a.m., a 2008 Dodge Charger, driven by John R. Winn, 28, of Butler, was eastbound on Waits Road approaching the intersection, according to Sgt. Ron Galaviz, Indiana State Police public information officer. The Dodge entered the intersection and struck a northbound 2008 Toyota Camry, driven by Simmons.

When struck, the Toyota was passing a northbound 2002 Pontiac Grand Prix, driven by Michael S. Landez, 30, of Avilla. The Toyota caromed into the Pontiac.

The Toyota ended up facing north in the northbound lane of S.R. 3, Galaviz said. The Dodge ended up facing west across both northbound lanes, and the Pontiac ended up facing south down an embankment on the east side of S.R. 3. Debris was scattered across the intersection. Airbags deployed in all three vehicles.

Winn and Landez were not injured. S.R. 3 northbound lanes were temporarily closed following the accident.

The intersection has a yield sign for Waits Road traffic. Police charged Winn with failing to yield.

Indiana State Police Master Trooper Steve Malone investigated the accident.

Units from the the Kendallville Police Department, Kendallville Fire Department, the Noble County Sheriff’s Department and Noble County EMS also responded to the scene.