A deadly car accident in Columbus, Indiana has claimed the life of 16-year-old Kole Shewmaker and left two others seriously injured. The crash occurred on Tuesday afternoon, November 15th on South Marr Road.
Two-Vehicle Collision
According to police, Shewmaker was a passenger in a 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt driven by 16-year-old Luis Otero. Otero lost control of the vehicle and crossed the center line, colliding head-on with a 2016 Toyota Corolla driven by 66-year-old Cheryl Hanner.
The crash happened around 1:30PM in the 700 block of South Marr Road. Otero was driving northbound when he veered into oncoming traffic.
Three People Rushed to Hospital
All three people involved in the crash sustained major injuries. Kole Shewmaker and Luis Otero were airlifted by medical helicopter to Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis.
66-year-old Cheryl Hanner, the driver of the Toyota, was also transported to Methodist Hospital by ambulance. Her injuries were serious but not considered life-threatening.
Shewmaker Succumbs to Injuries
Despite emergency medical efforts, 16-year-old Kole Shewmaker tragically passed away at Methodist Hospital on the evening of November 16th. Both Otero and Hanner continue receiving treatment, with Otero still in critical condition as of Wednesday night.
The Columbus community is mourning the sudden loss of teenager Kole Shewmaker, who was pronounced dead just a day after the devastating car collision.
Investigation Underway
The cause of the fatal crash remains under investigation by the Bartholomew County Accident Reconstruction Team. They will be examining evidence from the scene and interviewing witnesses to determine exactly what led to Otero losing control of his vehicle.
Excessive speed is one potential factor being looked into. Police will also investigate whether distracted driving could have played a role.
Community Mourns Bright Life Cut Short
Those who knew Kole Shewmaker describe him as a phenomenal student-athlete at Columbus North High School. He played on the football team and was an avid outdoorsman who loved hunting and fishing.
Friends say Shewmaker was kind-hearted with an infectious smile that lit up every room. His sudden passing leaves his family and entire community grief-stricken at the loss of his bright future.
Counseling services are being made available to students and faculty affected by the tragedy. The Shewmaker family plans to release funeral information soon as they make arrangements to honor Kole's life. His memory will live on in the hearts of all the lives he touched during his 16 years.
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