At approximately 9:00pm Sunday night, the Marshall County Sheriff Department and Argos Police Departments responded to a three vehicle accident at US 31 and State Road 10 west of Argos.
Alexander Hutchins of Portage, and his passenger, his brother, Benjamin Hutchins of Fort Wayne, were southbound on US31 when the vehicle they were in made contact with another passenger car that was heading west on State Road 10. That driver, Jon McFarland of Culver, failed to yield the right of way and was struck by Hutching’s vehicle. The impact forced Hutchins’ car in front of a semi tractor/trailer driven by Jose Hernandez, of Martinsville who was also traveling southbound.
The impact between Hutchins vehicle and the semi was severe, causing major damage to Hutchins’ vehicle sending them off the roadway and down a steep embankment. Both of the Hutchins brothers were emergency air lifted by helicopter from the scene to Memorial Hospital in South Bend where they are listed in critical and stable condition.
Hernandez, the driver of the semi truck was not injured in the accident and refused medical treatment at the scene.
Mr. McFarland was transported to St. Joseph Regional Medical Center in Plymouth for treatment of minor injuries and released shortly after.
Alcohol is not believed to be a factor in this accident although routine toxicology tests are pending.
Search warrants for the Crash Data Recorder boxes were acquired on Monday for both the McFarland and Hutchins vehicles. The semi was impounded until Monday morning when ISP had a Motor Carrier officer check the vehicle for necessary paperwork and certifications.
This accident is currently under investigation with assistance by the Indiana State Police and the Marshall County Sheriff Department.
