WHITLEY COUNTY — The Indiana State Police is investigating a four-vehicle crash. which occurred this morning, Dec. 4, on eastbound US 30 at the Whitley/Allen County Line and sent two of the drivers to the hospital.

The investigation conducted by Trooper Justin Snyder revealed at approximately 9:45 a.m., a 2007 Freightliner semi-tractor pulling a flatbed trailer and operated by 42-year-old William J. Riley of Morocco, was traveling eastbound on US 30, in the driving lane, just west of the county line.

The tractor-trailer combination struck the rear of a 2011 Ford van operated by 40-year-old Todd A. Rowe of Garrett. That impact caused a chain reaction crash, which then involved a 2008 Nissan passenger car operated by 33-year-old Christopher L. Fish of Fort Wayne, and a 2010 Freightliner semi-tractor trailer combination operated by 47-year-old Donald O. Spencer of Merrillville. The van, car and second semi-tractor trailer were at the traffic light at the intersection, which had just turned green, at the time of the crash. Both the van and passenger car were totaled.

All four drivers were wearing their seatbelts at the time of the crash, which significantly reduced the severity of the injuries sustained by Rowe and Fish, both of whom were transported to Lutheran Hospital in Fort Wayne with non-life threatening injuries.

The crash remains under investigation pending the results of a toxicology test. Snyder was assisted at the scene by the Indiana State Police Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division, Allen and Whitley County Sheriff Departments, Columbia City Police and Fire Departments, Union, Smith and Jefferson Township Fire Departments, as well as Arcola Fire Department, TRAA, Parkview EMS, INDOT and Parker’s Towing.