ECSD Seeking Witnesses To Saturday Crash
Investigators from the Elkhart County Sheriff’s Department are continuing to investigate a serious personal injury crash that occurred near the Concord Mall at the intersection of U.S. 33 and Sunnyside Avenue in Elkhart on Saturday.
The crash, which occurred at approximately 12:49 p.m., resulted in serious bodily injuries to 14-year-old Mark Rich, who was a front seat passenger in a 2010 Mini Cooper that was involved in a collision with a 2005 Chevy Avalanche pickup truck.
Investigators are continuing to investigate and review data collected from the scene and are seeking additional information on witnesses who may have seen this crash and/or the events leading up to this crash.
Initially, police believed the driver of the Mini Cooper, Darlene Eichelberger, 41, of Goshen, ran a red light in front of a Chevy Avalanche, which slammed into the passenger side of her car. Rich, 14, was unconscious at the scene and was flown to a hospital in Kalamazoo for head injuries.
Both drivers, and Eichelberger’s 13-year-old son who was riding in the back seat of the car, were taken to Elkhart General for treatment.
Anyone with witness information is encouraged to contact Crash Team Investigators Lt. Casey Lehman or Detective Brandon Denesuk at 574-891-2300.