(Rolling Prairie, IN) - Seven people were injured in a three vehicle collision on a stretch of U.S. 20 in La Porte County.  There were no early indications that alcohol might have been involved but the Saturday night crash was still being investigated.

 

Aaron Casko, 29, of Michigan City was stopped while waiting to turn left on 400 East when his SUV was struck in the rear by a car driven by Ivory Woods, 23, of South Bend, according to La Porte County Police.

 

After the collision, Woods’ car veered across the center line and was hit by oncoming SUV driven by Brandon Lucas, 30, of Elkhart, police said.  Police said the head-on collision packed enough force to knock the engine out of the engine compartment of the car driven by Woods. 

 

Woods seemed to be the most seriously injured.  She managed to speak briefly to investigators prior to being taken to Memorial Hospital in South Bend, police said.

 

Lucas, along with his girlfriend and three children (ages 10, 9 and 2), were transported to Northwest Health in La Porte.  Some of them complained of pain while others suffered abrasions, police said.

 

Police said Casko complained of minor neck pain and refused medical attention.

 

According to police, there was no odor of alcohol detected on the breath of Woods while she was questioned about the crash.  They also indicated sleet was falling and the road was wet at the time of the crash.  While speaking briefly with investigators, Woods did not shed any light on the accident, claiming only that she has insurance.

 

Police said it appears Casko avoided potential serious injury by accelerating when he saw Woods approaching from behind in his rear view mirror prior to impact.