At approximately 9:30 p.m. Monday, officers from the Indiana State Police, the Lafontaine Town Marshal’s Office, and the Wabash County Sheriff’s Department responded to a two vehicle crash on State Road 218 near Wabash County Road 600 East, in which a Marion, IN man died.
The preliminary crash investigation by Trooper Dustin Rutledge revealed that Danny Drabenstot, 59, Marion, IN, was driving a 1988 Chevrolet pickup truck westbound on State Road 218 near Wabash County Road 600 East. For an undetermined reason, the Chevrolet crossed the center line and struck, nearly head-on, an eastbound 2004 Acura. The Acura was driven by Maekinzie Seacat, 27, Gas City, IN.
After the crash impact, the Chevrolet traveled off the south side of State Road 218, and came to rest on its passenger side. Drabenstot, who was not wearing a seat belt, was partially ejected from the truck. The Acura came to rest on State Road 218. The investigation revealed that Seacat nor her passenger, Caleb Webber, 26, Gas City, IN, were properly secured with a seat belt.
Despite life saving measures by responding paramedics, firefighters, and police officers, Drabenstot died at the crash scene. Seacat and Webber were transported by ambulance to a local hospital. Seacat was later transported to a Fort Wayne hospital with a non-life threatening head injury. Webber was treated and released with a complaint of pain.
This crash is still under investigation.