Two Injured in Fulton County Crash

FULTON COUNTY, IN - Tuesday, February 26, 2008, at approximately 6:30 a.m., Indiana State Police responded to a two-vehicle crash on State Road 14 west of County Road 925 East that injured two people. 

Preliminary investigation by Master Trooper Randy Shaver revealed that Tommy D. Burkett Jr., 42, Warsaw, IN, was driving a 2002 Dodge Dakota pickup truck westbound on State Road 14. The truck crossed the center line and struck an eastbound 1992 GMC minivan, driven by Merlinda S. Balmer, 50, Roann, IN, in the driver’s side door. The impact caused the minivan to slide off the south side of the road. The truck came to rest in the eastbound lane of State Road 14 which was snow covered at the time of the crash. 

Burkett suffered head and internal injuries. Balmer had suspected broken bones in her leg and back. She also suffered internal injuries. Both drivers were transported by ambulance to Woodlawn Hospital in Rochester, then on to Parkview Hospital in Ft. Wayne. 

"The cause of this crash was speed too fast for the snow covered road conditions," stated Master Trooper Shaver. "Motorists need to slow down when roads are ice or snow covered."

Burkett was not wearing his seat belt which could have reduced the severity of his injuries. He was issued a citation for not wearing his seat belt and for speed too fast for the road conditions.  

Balmer was wearing her seat belt which helped reduce the severity of her injuries.  

Master Trooper Shaver was assisted at the crash scene by the Fulton County Sheriff’s Department, Fulton County EMS, and Henry Township Fire Department.

Source: Indiana State Police