Sunday evening, September 10th, at approximately 8:10, Marshall County Central Dispatch received a 911 call for a serious injury accident in the southbound lanes of U.S. 31 near 11th Road. One of the vehicles involved caught fire and it was unknown if the occupants were still inside.
The first deputy arrived on the scene and learned that the sole occupant in the fully engulfed vehicle, a black 2016 Dodge pickup truck, was assisted out of the vehicle by passing citizens. This driver was identified as Arturo Mendez of White Pigeon, Indiana.
The other vehicle involved, a maroon 2013 Honda passenger car, had two occupants that had serious injuries. The driver of the Honda, Jarrod Nichols of Milan, was assisted out of the vehicle. The front-seat passenger, Riley Duerstock of Batesville, was trapped in the vehicle.
Plymouth Fire and EMS arrived on the scene and assisted all three subjects involved, who were transported to Memorial Hospital in South Bend for the injuries.
Alcohol is believed to be a factor and the investigation is ongoing.
Agencies assisting the Marshall County Sheriff’s Department were Argos Police, Argos Fire and EMS, Plymouth Fire and EMS, Indiana State Police, Reichert and Knepp Towing.
