Five injured in one-car accident

WINAMAC - Three children and two women were air-lifted to area hospitals late Monday afternoon (Sept. 28), following a one-car accident northeast of Winamac.

The Pulaski County 911 Center received a call at 4:56 p.m., advising of the accident on CR 400 N, neary CR 350 E.

Pulaski County Sheriff's Department deputies arrived on the scene to find a red 2006 Pontiac G-6 overturned on the north side of the road in the cornfield.

Preliminary investigation revealed that Tiffany M. Burden, 25, of Monticello had been driving westbound on CR 400 N, allegedly at a high rate of speed and lost control of the vehicle. The car then left the roadway rolled into the cornfield, according to the police report.

A 4-month-old girl, 1-year-old girl, 5-year-old boy, as well as backseat passenger Christina J. Elam, 24, Monterey, were all ejected from the vehicle due to not being restrained.

A sixth person, believed to be the front seat passenger, Bill Joe Burden, 26, Monticello, fled the scene. Burden is wanted on an outstanding Cass County bench warrant for violation of probration relating to an original charge of public intoxication (B Misdemeanor).

All three children and both women were flown via various Air Ambulances to various medical facilities. Their medical conditions are unabailable at this time.

Speed is believed to be the primary cause of the accident and alcohol is being investigated as a contributing factor, according to police.

The case was inestigated by Pulaski County Sheriff's deputies Aaron Heims and John Dyrek. They were assisted at the scene by Pulaski County EMS, Winamac Volunteer Fire Department, Monterey Volunteer Fire Department, Samaritan Helicopter, Luthern Helicopter, Stat Flight and Life Flight Helicopter

The crash investigation is on-going, and if the public has any information, they are asked to contact the Pualski County Sheriff's Office at 574-946-6655..