( 3-13-18) Around 3pm, emergency crews responded to a three car serious injury crash on US Hwy 12 near Sage Rd in Bertrand Twp. Upon arrival, responders found Arnold Lancaster (56), of South Bend Indiana pinned in his Dodge Mini-van. Lancaster was cut from his vehicle utilizing the Niles Township Fire Jaws of life. Once out, Lancaster was attended to by SMACS ambulance and was transported by Medflight ambulance service to Memorial Hospital in South Bend with what was described as serious, but non-life threatening injuries.
Investigators were able to determine that Lancaster had stopped behind a Semi-tractor trailer on US 12 heading westbound, that vehicle was also stopped for a garbage truck that was conducting roadside pickup service. A second garbage truck, driven by Justin Hardt of St Joseph was also traveling westbound and did not see the other vehicles stopped and could not stop in time, swerved to avoid the collision and struck the drivers side rear of the Lancaster vehicle pushing it into the rear of the semi trailer causing extensive damage.
This crash is still under investigation and speed and alcohol/drugs are not believed to be factors in this collision.
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