County Police Release Information on Friday’s Fatal Crash at US 31 & 13th Road

  11/05/13 On Friday, November 1^st at approximately 9:12 pm, the Marshall County Sheriff’s Department received a 9-1-1 call in reference to a two vehicle crash that occurred at the intersection of U.S. 31 and 13^th Road.  Marshall County Units, Plymouth Fire / EMS and Argos Fire /EMS were all dispatched to the scene.  Emergency responders and police units located two vehicles near the intersection with substantial damage. 

Through an investigation Deputy Ryan Hollopeter determined that 82 year old Henry R. Mansfield of Plymouth, was driving a 2008 Chevrolet passenger car west bound through the intersection of U.S. 31 at 13^th Road.   40 year old Kimberly L. Bean was southbound in a   2000 Kia sport utility vehicle on U.S. 31 approaching the intersection with 13^th Road.  According to witness information, statements made by the drivers and physical evidence at the scene; it was determined that Mansfield failed to yield the right of way to Bean.

Kimberly Bean was taken to Saint Joseph Hospital in Mishawaka with non-life threatening injuries.  Mansfield was transported to Memorial Hospital in South Bend for serious injuries sustained in the crash.      

The front seat passenger of the 2008 Chevrolet, 76 year old Kathryn B. Mansfield was pronounced deceased at the scene due to injuries sustained in the collision. 

The back seat passengers of Mansfield’s vehicle were identified as 54 year old Benjamin Waltz and his wife 54 year old Annette Waltz.  They were both transported to Memorial Hospital of South Bend with non-life threatening injuries.  Monday afternoon the hospital said the Mr. Waltz had been released and his wife Annette was listed in fair condition.  Henry Mansfield was listed in serious condition.

Both MedFlight and Samaritan were requested for air transport of the victims to South Bend Hospitals.  Due to weather conditions neither helicopter could fly.   Also, both lanes of US 31 were shut down for a short time and then the southbound lanes stayed closed for a couple of hours.

It is not believed that alcohol or drugs were a factor in this collision.  This collision involving a fatality is still under investigation.  Assisting the Marshall County Sheriff’s Department in the investigation was the Marshall County Coroner’s Office, Indiana State Police, Indiana Department of Natural Resources Law-Enforcement Division, and the Argos Police Department.