If you were in the South Bend area last night and saw a crash involving a marked Indiana State Police Car and a Hyundai Elantra, the police want to talk to you. The wreck occurred around 8 p.m. at the intersection of Ireland and Linden Roads. Authorities say Trooper William B. Ennis was westbound on Ireland Road approaching the intersection with Linden Road in his marked police car with his red and blue emergency lights activated. A 2003 Hyundai Elantra driven by 19-year-old Robert Lee Perez of Mishawaka was southbound on Linden Road, entered the intersection and was struck broadside by Ennis’ police car. Perez was trapped in his car and was extricated by the South Bend Fire Department. He’s in critical condition at a South Bend hospital. His passenger, 20-year-old Danielle Cutler of South Bend is in serious condition, according to authorities. Ennis suffered injuries to his hip and lower extremities. He’s also in the hospital and is in stable condition.Ennis was on his way to assist the St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department with a reported vehicle crash when his wreck occurred. Investigators say a middle-aged white male driving a yellow older model pickup truck with plastic on the rear window had stopped momentarily after the crash. They are asking that this gentleman or anyone who happened to be a witness to the crash or that may have stopped immediately after the crash occurred to contact the Indiana State Police Post in Bremen at either (574) 546-4900 or toll free within Indiana at (800) 552-2959. The crash remains under investigation.
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