ISP: Semi-truck accident near Columbia City leaves man in critical condition

WHITLEY COUNTY, Indiana (WANE) — Police responded to an accident south of Columbia City Monday morning involving a semi-trailer truck and leaving a man in critical condition.

Police say the crash happened around 10 a.m. at the intersection of State Route 9 and State Route 14, which is south of Columbia City and east of South Whitley.

Firefighters had to extricate 44-year-old South Whitley resident Kent McCullough from his vehicle and he was eventually flown to a hospital, where state police said he was last listed in critical condition.

A preliminary police investigation into the accident found that 27-year-old Arthur Namegabe approached the intersection while driving an articulated lorry and reportedly disregarded the ‘flashing’ red light and stop signs before entering the intersection, resulting in that Namegabe crashed into McCullough.

McCullough and Namegabe were the only occupants of their vehicles, and Namegabe was not injured in the accident.

Both drivers have undergone chemical testing procedures and the results of those tests are still pending.

The crash continues to be actively investigated.

Upon completion, the completed report will be submitted to the Whitley County Attorney’s Office for full review to determine if criminal charges are warranted.