Published: November 02, 2009 10:57 pm      

Helicopter evacuates accident victim

Kokomo woman rear-ends truck ‘at highway speed,’ police say

PERU — A Kokomo woman was taken by helicopter to a Fort Wayne hospital after an accident Monday afternoon.

Indiana State Police Sgt. Rick Brown said Felicia G. Fordston, 20, Kokomo, is believed to have rear-ended a Ford Expedition in her 1998 Dodge Neon.

“She did not make any attempt to slow down,” he said, adding that police on the scene report she struck the Expedition “at highway speed” while it was stopped at a red light in the southbound lane of U.S. 31 at Business 31, at about 2:55 p.m.

Brown said the accident caused “considerable damage” to Fordston’s car, pushing the front end of the car into the driver’s compartment.

The Expedition was driven by Elijah Yungwirth of Westfield. He and his passenger were checked by EMTs on the scene and refused further treatment, Brown said. He said Fordston and Yungwirth both were wearing seat belts.

He said Fordston suffered what appeared to be fractures in the hip area and arms in the crash, but was conscious when she was airlifted to Parkview Hospital in Fort Wayne.

“Her injuries are serious, but not life-threatening at this point,” he said.

• Danielle Rush is the Kokomo Tribune education reporter. She can be reached at 765-454-8585 or danielle.rush@kokomotribune.com.