Akron – Yesterday afternoon, at approximately 3:25 p.m., officers from the Indiana State Police, the Fulton County Sheriff’s Department, and the Akron Marshal’s Office responded to a single vehicle crash on State Road 19 north of Fulton County Road 100 North, which injured a Mentone, IN, teen.

A preliminary investigation by Trooper Todd Trottier revealed that Dylan R. Stimeling, 17, Mentone, IN, was driving a 1994 Chevrolet Camaro southbound on State Road 19. The Camaro was allegedly passing another vehicle at a high rate of speed in the northbound lane of the two lane road. When Stimeling tried to return the Camaro to the southbound lane, he lost control, and traveled off the west side of State Road 19. The Camaro then hit a pile of cement blocks, causing the vehicle to flip before coming to rest on its top.

Stimeling had to be extricated from his vehicle by firefighters from the Mentone and Henry Township Fire Departments. Stimeling was flown from the crash scene by Samaritan Helicopter to Parkview Hospital in Fort Wayne, IN. He suffered head trauma and is listed in critical but stable condition.

Stimeling was wearing a seat belt which Trooper Trottier believes helped reduce the severity of his injuries.

Excessive speed is believed to be a contributing factor in this crash.

Trooper Trottier was also assisted at the crash scene by Fulton County EMS and Mentone EMS.