Friday, February 12th, 2021
Several injured when semi, van crash
Van carrying Amish workers
By Sydney Albert
Photo by Dan Melograna/The Daily Standard
Paramedics load a person injured in a crash on Thursday at the intersection of State Route 49 and Frahm Pike into a medical helicopter.
CELINA - Several people were hospitalized Thursday after a semitrailer and a van carrying Amish workers collided at the intersection of State Route 49 and Frahm Pike ejecting and trapping van passengers.
Mercer County Central Dispatch received a 911 call at 3:20 p.m. reporting the accident.
A preliminary investigation by the Mercer County Sheriff's Office showed a 2014 Chevy Express van was northbound on State Route 49 when the driver attempted to turn left onto Frahm Pike in front of a southbound 2021 Peterbilt semi. The vehicles colleded and traveled off the west side of the roadway and rolled over.
Due to the severity of the crash and injuries, the sheriff's office's traffic crash reconstruction team was sent to assist with the investigation.
The van was owned by Portland LLC of Portland, Indiana, and was being driven by Manuel Bermudez, 53, Berne, Indiana. Bermudez was uninjured, but three of the van's passengers were injured, according to a news release.
Harvey M. Eicher was ejected from the van and was transported by Mercer County EMS to a local hospital. Harvey H. Eicher was also ejected from the vehicle and became trapped beneath it. He was flown from the scene by Lutheran Air to a trauma center. Walter H. Eicher had also been trapped inside the van. He was removed with assistance from a local fire department. He was transported by Mercer County EMS to a local hospital. The ages and hometowns of the Eichers were unknown at press time.
Another passenger in the van, Levi B. Shetler, 32, was transported by a private vehicle to a hospital for treatment. His hometown also was unknown.
The semi, owned by SM Tobin LLC, Celina, was operated by Cody S. Stammen, 21, St. Henry. Stammen was hauling feed and was reportedly uninjured.
The sheriff's office was assisted at the scene by members of the Chattanooga, Rockford and Celina fire departments; Rockford and Celina EMS; Mercer County Emergency Response Volunteers; Mercer County Emergency Management Agency; Celina Utilities; Lake Shore Auto; Jackson's Garage; and Belna Petroleum.
The crash remains under investigation.
