Published: May 31, 2009 03:03 pm      

Two killed in Shipshewana crash, one arrested

SHIPSHEWANA — Two men were killed when a man police say had been drinking caused a three-vehicle crash along Ind. 5, north of C.R. 50 South, at 7:10 a.m. Sunday.

LaGrange County Sheriff’s deputies reported that the two killed in the crash were William F. Kaser, 66, Wawaka, and Leslie Handshoe, 47, Wolcottville.

Police arrested Matthew D. Parish, 25, Fort Wayne on a charge of operating a vehicle while intoxicated causing death.

According to police, Parish was driving a 2008 Saturn Aura north on Ind. 5 when it struck the right rear of a 2007 Chevrolet Impala driven by Kaser. The impact caused the Impala to cross the center line and strike a southbound Dodge Caravan head on.

Kaser was dead at the scene, police reported, while Handshoe died in the helicopter that was transporting him to a hospital.

A passenger in Handshoe’s vehicle, Lisa Hochstetler, 19, Wolcottville, suffered internal injuries and lacerations. Hochstetler was sitting in the front passenger’s seat, police reported. The officer did not note which hospital Hochstetler was taken to.

Police reported that Parish had been drinking and that tests are pending. However, he was arrested.

The officer noted that there were no environmental or other contributing circumstances.