Officers respond to a vehicle vs. pedestrian accident on Husky Trail. (Photo by Amanda McFarland)
By KIP SHUTER
Public Information Officer, Warsaw Police Department
WARSAW — Warsaw Police and the Kosciusko County FACT team are investigating a fatal crash involving a police car and a pedestrian.
At approximately 5:58 p.m. Friday, Jan. 22, emergency units responded to Husky Trail north of Harrison School after a fully marked Winona Lake police car struck a pedestrian.
The female pedestrian was unresponsive at the scene and died while being transported to a Fort Wayne hospital. The victim was identified as 67-year-old, Sharon Mitterling, Warsaw.
Police investigate a fatal crash scene. (Photo provided by the Warsaw Police Department)
The Winona Lake officer driving the police car was identified as 30-year-old patrol officer John Leeper, Warsaw.
The preliminary investigation indicates Mitterling was walking down her driveway and was crossing Husky Trail to get her mail when she was struck by the southbound police car. Leeper observed Mitterling was wearing a winter jacket with a hood pulled up over her head as she briskly walked in to the road without looking or stopping. Leeper stated he swerved to avoid the collision but was unable to. Leeper was driving to work to start his shift and was not responding to any call for service.
As part of the investigation, Leeper, was taken to Kosciusko Community Hospital for alcohol and drug testing. Toxicology results are pending for both parties. The investigation continues by Warsaw Police and Kosciusko County FACT.
Warsaw Police were assisted by the Winona Lake Police Department, Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Department, Lutheran EMS Kosciusko, Warsaw Wayne Fire Territory, the Kosciusko County Coroner’s Office and the Whitley County Coroner’s Office.