On Monday afternoon, May 13th about 12:30 the Marshall County Sheriff`s Department was contacted in reference to an injury accident on US 31 in the area of Veteran`s Parkway.
Initial investigation by Officer Rans revealed that a black Ford F105 had been traveling north on US 31, south of Veteran`s Parkway, when the driver, 39 year old Gary M. Hurst of south Bend abruptly decided to do an illegal U-Turn at a paved emergency vehicle turn-around area.
That caused several other vehicles to slam on their brakes to avoid colliding with his truck. A black Ford Focus driven by 20 year old Makenzi Stallings of Mishawaka had to swerve off of the roadway into the grass median to avoid striking other vehicles in the area. In the process of this, she struck Hurst’s truck while it was completing the U-Turn.
During the investigation it was discovered that Gary Hurst was possibly impaired. An OWI investigation was completed and Mr. Hurst was later arrested after being checked out at the hospital and lodged in the Marshall County Jail for OWI-.15% or higher with a prior conviction and Operating a Vehicle After Being Adjudged a Habitual Traffic Violator.
A passenger in Stallings’ vehicle was also transported to the hospital to be treated for injuries.
Mr. Hurst was issued a Superior 2 court date of May 28 and given a cash bond of $1,500.
The Marshall County Sheriff`s Department was assisted at the scene by the Plymouth Fire Department and Lyon`s Towing.
Listeners and readers are reminded that charging information supported by an affidavit of probable cause is merely an allegation that a crime has been committed and that there is only probable cause to believe a crime has been committed. They are presumed innocent throughout the proceedings and are entitled to be represented by counsel and entitled to a trial by jury at which the State is obligated to provide proof beyond a reasonable doubt before a judgment of guilt may be made.
