POLICE NEWS: Goshen woman arrested in hit-and-run

Apr. 23—GOSHEN — A hit-and-run crash led to the arrest of a Goshen woman Friday afternoon.

Katerina Rodriguez, 55, Elkhart, told Goshen police she was headed south on U.S. 33 in the 23000 block of U.S. 33. She indicated that she was slowing down for traffic coming to a stop when a yellow 2019 Honda Civic rear-ended her 2019 Chevrolet Trax, according to the police report.

When Rodriguez got out of the car to speak with the driver, she saw the front bumper cover on the ground. Rodriguez, according to the report, advised the other driver that she wanted to file and report and the other driver, a woman, took off. Rodriguez, though, was able to get the license plate number to file a report.

According to Goshen police, the vehicle was registered to Esperanza Quiroz, 21, Goshen. Goshen officer Jacob Lambright went to the address and spoke to Quiroz, who noted that she had brake issues.

Quiroz was arrested on a charge of leaving the scene of a personal injury crash, driving without insurance with a prior conviction, and cited for following too closely and driving while suspended.

CRASH REPORTS

Goshen Police responded to a two-vehicle crash at 2:43 p.m. Saturday.

In a report Ernest Malquist, Valparaiso, said he was at the intersection of W. Pike and N. Third Streets driving a Gray Nissan Murano when he was in the west turn lane and had a green arrow to turn, but instead proceeded north and was struck by a second vehicle, a White Nissan Pathfinder, driven by Derek Freiberger, Goshen.

Malquist said he was at fault and denied medical treatment on scene. Freiberger and three passengers of the vehicle he was driving were taken to Goshen Hospital with complaints of pain.

In separate incident, a two-vehicle crash took place at 6:12 p.m. Saturday, at C.R. 7 and C.R. 4, with a 2010 Honda driven by Alex Patino, Elkhart, colliding with 2019 Dodge Van driven by Davontay Lewis, Elkhart. No information about citations issued due to the accident was listed.

In another separate incident at 1:47 p.m. Sunday, Kermit Mishler, New Paris, was driving a 1999 Cadillac Deville when he collided with a 2014 Honda CRV driven by Sedona Maresh, Milford on U.S. HWY 6 at Adam Street. Mishler reported he had head pain and was taken to Fort Wayne, the report stated.

FIRE

The Elkhart Fire Department responded to a structure fire at 3701 Cooper Drive at 5:19 a.m. Sunday.

Following a report of an activated fire alarm, firefighters noticed light smoke from the building and active water flow from the building's sprinkler systems. A small fire was found and was put out. No victims or employees were found at the scene and the sprinkler system was shut off before the building was released back to the business.

OTHER ARRESTS

Dar

* cey A. Sweet, 56, Bristol, was arrested at 10:47 p.m. Friday on a charge of shoplifting at Walmart, 2304 Lincolnway East, Goshen. Sweet was transported to Elkhart County Jail.

* Brandon Sternitzke, 39, South Bend, was arrested on a charge of operating while intoxicated at 9:35 a.m. Saturday. Officers responded to the intersection of Second and Clinton Streets for a report of an individual slumped over the wheel of a vehicle. He failed a field sobriety test, was found to be impaired by an unknown drug, and was incarcerated at the Elkhart County Jail.

* Lyndale Schmucker, 40, Larwill, was arrested on a charge of theft at 2304 Lincolnway East at 10:09 p.m. Saturday. He was taken to the Elkhart County Jail.

* Mario Guilbert, 26, was arrested on a charge of disorderly conduct and resisting law enforcement at 10:04 p.m. Saturday. Officers reported to 219 S. Main Street for a report of an intoxicated male near this address. He was incarcerated at the Elkhart County Jail.

* Scottie Christian, 24, Mishawaka, was arrested on charges of resisting law enforcement with a vehicle (and on foot) and with operating while intoxicated. Officers conducted a traffic stop at 2:48 a.m. Sunday on a motorcycle near the 1500 block of Elkhart Road, which led to a vehicle pursuit. He was incarcera

* ted at the Elkhart County Jail.

GUNSHOT WOUND

A male subject was treated for a gunshot wound with a non-life-threatening injury at Goshen Hospital. Officers reported to the scene at 200 High Park Avenue at 11:59 p.m. Saturday and it was determined that the victim sustained the injury accidentally.

THEFT

Staff at Merit Learning Center, 1216 S. Indiana Ave., Goshen, reported to Goshen police a theft at 2:51 p.m. Friday. The incident occurred on one of their buses.

AUTO THEFT

Tiffany Smith, 37, reported to Goshen police on April 22 her vehicle was stolen in the 200 block of South 26th Street sometime between March 25 and April 12.

DAMAGED VEHICLE

A Goshen High School student reported to Goshen police that their vehicle was damaged sometime during the week of April 11 in the school parking lot, 401 Lincolnway East, Goshen.

Dani Messick is the education and entertainment reporter for The Goshen News. She can be reached at dani.messick@goshennews.com or at 574-538-2065.