16 Year Old Driver Ejected from Vehicle in Adams County Crash

ADAMS COUNTY, IN - The Indiana State Police responded to a report of a single vehicle personal injury crash, at approximately 6:42 pm this evening, which sent the 16 year old driver to the hospital with reported head trauma because she had been ejected from her vehicle. 

According to Sergeant Dan Mawhorr, a 1996 Dodge Neon driven the 16 year old from Decatur was traveling southbound on Winchester Road north of County Road 900 N.  For an unknown reason, the Neon left the west side of the roadway, at which point, Mendez overcorrected and brought the vehicle back onto the roadway where it traveled left of center.  The vehicle was again overcorrected and left the west side of the roadway completely where it struck an earth embankment.  The Neon rolled over at least one time, ejecting Mendez, who was not wearing her seatbelt. 

During his investigation, Mawhorr stated that text messages had been sent and received on Mendez’s cell phone just prior to the crash and that this may have been a contributing factor.  Mendez was transported to Lutheran Hospital with head trauma, and according to Mawhorr, will be cited for speed too fast to avoid collision and for the seatbelt violation. 

Assisting Mawhorr at the crash scene was the Adams County Sheriff Department, Adams County EMS, and the Preble Fire Department.