ALLEN CO. – Wednesday evening at approximately 8:45 p.m., the Indiana State Police investigated a four-vehicle personal injury crash at the intersection of US 27 and Ferguson and Hessen Cassel roads, in southern Allen County.
The crash involved an on-duty Adams County Sheriff’s Deputy transporting a female who was in custody to a local Fort Wayne treatment facility. The crash resulted in both the officer and his occupant suffering what were considered non-life-threatening injuries.
Senior Trooper Bryan Rumple’s preliminary investigation revealed that ACSD Deputy Pat Piper was operating his 2014 Dodge patrol car with emergency lights and sirens activated northbound on US 27 prior to the crash. Prior to the crash, Deputy Piper had reported the in-custody female as being resistant and attempting to escape the vehicle.
As Deputy Piper’s vehicle entered into the intersection on US 27 at Ferguson and Hessen Cassel roads, his patrol car was struck broadside on the passenger side by a 2003 GMC passenger vehicle that was entering into the intersection from Hessen Cassel Road. That GMC passenger car was driven by 75-year-old Gary Grothaus, of Fort Wayne. The patrol car sustained heavy damage to the passenger side, temporarily entrapping the in-custody female passenger. Grothaus’ vehicle also had heavy front-end damage.
Preliminarily information suggests that Deputy Piper had a red light as he entered the intersection, and Grothuas had a green light but failed to notice the patrol car entering the intersection.
Subsequent to the initial crash, 40-year-old Brianne Brown, of Fort Wayne, driving a blue 2018 Ford passenger car, stopped in the intersection to provide assistance. A fourth vehicle, a 1999 Lincoln passenger car driven by 72-year-old Michael Radabaugh, of Fort Wayne was traveling north on US 27 and failed to recognize the crash scene, entered into the intersection, and struck both Brown and Grothaus’ vehicles. Only minor damage was incurred from this second crash incident. Neither Grothaus, Brown, nor Radabaugh reported any injuries.
Deputy Piper’s occupant, 28-year-old Trisha Miller, was properly restrained and handcuffed during the transport, and the airbags on the passenger side of the patrol were deployed during the collision. She sustained minor injuries related to the crash. Piper also sustained minor injuries. Both were transported via ambulance to a Fort Wayne area hospital for treatment.
This remains an active crash investigation. There is no further information to release at this time. Any charges that may result from this crash investigation will be determined by the Allen County Prosecutor’s office once the investigation has been completed and turned over for review.
Senior Trooper Rumple was assisted at the scene by Allen County Sheriff’s officers, an Indiana DNR officer, the Adams County Sheriff, Southwest Allen County Fire EMS, Poe Fire Department, Adams County EMS, Robinson’s Wrecker Service, and Piqua Repair wrecker service.
