By 1^st Sgt. Chad D. Hill, Public Information Officer

ETNA GREEN — Kosciusko County officials are currently investigating a vehicular traffic crash on U.S. 30 near the town of Etna Green that has left a South Whitley woman dead.

Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Deputies and emergency personnel responded this morning at 3:40 a.m. to a reported vehicular crash located at the intersection of U.S. 30 and State Road 19.  Responders located the driver of a 2015 Chevy Traverse, identified as Vicki Sue Bartz, 52, South Whitley, pinned inside her vehicle.  Lutheran E.M.S. paramedics requested the Kosciusko County Coroner Office who arrived and pronounced Bartz deceased from blunt force trauma injuries.

Kosciusko County Fatal Team reconstructionist stated that a preliminary investigation into the crash has determined that Bartz had been traveling westbound on U.S. 30, when she had stopped for a traffic light at the intersection of State Road 19.  A 2015 Freightliner semi-tractor/trailer, driven by Waldemar A. Palys, East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania, was also westbound on U.S. 30 in the same roadway lane and collided into the rear of the Bartz vehicle at highway speed.  K.C.S.D. investigators stated that Palys believed that he might have fallen asleep prior to impact.

Officers stated that the crash is still currently under investigation.  The Kosciusko County Fatal Team was assisted at the scene by members of the Etna Green Fire Department, Lutheran E.M.S., and the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Department.