(Ligonier, IN) (9-14-24) –  The Indiana State Police is investigating a high-speed crash that occurred this morning at approximately 8:25am on US 33 just south of US 6 in Ligonier.  The crash, which involved three passenger vehicles, resulted in five persons being injured, three of which were seriously injured and either flown or transported by ambulance to Parkview Regional Medical Center in Fort Wayne.  

2019 Nissan Rouge Involved in Crash

Prior to the crash, the vehicle that is reported to have caused the crash was allegedly involved in a police chase with an Indiana State Trooper.  That Trooper had reported observing a 2011 Mercedes C-Class passenger car traveling eastbound on US 6 west of Ligonier at over 100mph.  When the trooper attempted to stop the Mercedes, a pursuit ensued.  At some point, after the pursuit traversed several roads on the outskirts of Ligonier, the pursuit came southbound on State Road 5 headed back into Ligonier, at which point the Trooper reported terminating the pursuit due to the risk to the general public.  Shortly there after the fleeing Mercedes was involved in a crash on US33 just south of the US6 intersection.  (SR5 turns into US 33 at the intersection of US 6.)

An Indiana State Police crash reconstruction investigator was called into handle the overall investigation. 

The preliminary investigation has revealed that a 2011 Mercedes C-Class passenger car was traveling at a high rate of speed south on State Road 5 and disregard the traffic signal at the intersection of US 6, then crashing into the rear of a 2019 Nissan Rogue SUV which had just turned south onto US 33 from US 6.  That initial impact sent the Nissan Rogue off into the side ditch onto it’s side. The Mercedes then ran left of center and sideswiped a northbound 2004 Acura passenger car before becoming disabled.  Extreme high-speed, alcohol, and drugs are all suspected as contributing factors. 

The driver of the Mercedes, identified as Ethan Aza (23) of Warsaw, IN, was seriously injured in the crash.  There were no other occupants in the Mercedes.  After being extricated by the Ligonier Fire Department, Aza was transported by Parkview EMS to PRMC in Fort Wayne in serious condition. 

Both the driver and passenger of the Nissan Rogue sustained serious injuries in the crash.  After extrication by fire/rescue personnel, the adult passenger was transported by Samaritan helicopter to PRMC in Fort Wayne in critical condition.  The driver was was transported to PRMC by ambulance.

The adult driver and adult passenger in the Acura passenger car both sustained minor injuries and were transported by ambulance to Parkview Noble in Kendallville.

The trooper that had been involved in pursuing the Mercedes was one of the first arriving police officers on scene.  While attempting to rescue occupants of the Nissan Rogue, he sustained lacerations to his hands and arms. He was transported to Parkview Noble in Kendallville where he was treated and later released.

As a result of the crash, US33 south of US6 had to be closed for nearly 5 hours while the investigation and cleanup took place.

This remains an ongoing investigation by the Indiana State Police, with criminal charges expected to be requested once the overall investigation is complete.   This will be turned over to the Noble County Prosecutor for a full review and determination of charges to be filed.

The Indiana State Police were assisted at the scene by the Noble County Sheriff’s Department, Ligonier Police Department, Avilla Police Department, Ligonier Fire Department, Cromwell Fire Department, Parkview EMS, Parkview Samaritan, and Leatherman’s wrecker service.