Marissa Chantelle Stein, 20, of Bluffton, died at 4:46 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 16 of injuries in an automobile accident at SR 124 and SR 301.
Born in Bluffton on August 9, 1984 to Tony and Desiree Stein Baller, she was a 2002 graduate of Bluffton High School, and was a 2003 graduate of IBS, Medical Assistant.
Survivors include her mother; a daughter, Nicolle Stein; a sister, Chelsie Stein; two brothers, Isaiah and Malcolm Marshall; her step father, Albert Marshall, all of Bluffton; grandparents Jennie Mock, Jim and Marguerite Baller, and Ruby Turner, all of Bluffton, and Claud Marshall of Auburn.
Services will be held at 2 p.m. Monday at Goodwin Memorial Chapel with Tony Robles officiating. Calling hours are Sunday from 1 to 8 p.m. and for one hour prior to the service Monday.
Burial will be in Fairview Cemetery. Preferred memorials are to her daughter.
Two Bluffton residents, both back seat passengers in a Dodge Intrepid that was hit broadside by a van at Ind. 301 and Ind. 124, were dead at the crash scene four miles east of Bluffton late Wednesday afternoon.
Three others in the Intrepid were hurt, one critically.
Of the six occupants of the van, there was just one noted minor cut injury, and that subject declined treatment.
In the crash, by a witness account, police said, the brown 1987 Chevrolet van was eastbound on preferential Ind. 124. The silver 1995 Dodge Intrepid was southbound on Ind. 301. The Dodge driver either failed to stop for the sign or stopped and then pulled into the intersection.
The 4:42 p.m.-reported grinding two-vehicle double fatality smash-up gave Wells County the year 2005's first two traffic deaths.
Dead at the scene and believed killed instantly, were:
-- Adam L. Studebaker, 21, of 1232 West Washington St., Bluffton. He was reported to have been riding in the back seat on the passenger side where the broadside impact came. He was still within the vehicle after the crash.
-- Merissa C. Stein, 20, of 909 West Wabash St., Bluffton. She was reported riding in the middle of the back seat and was ejected onto the ground several feet south of auto.
Injured were:
-- Derek Humphrey, 17, of Bluffton. He was reported riding in the back seat on the driver side. He was flown to Lutheran Hospital. In critical condition with the severity of the injuries although conscious in the aftermath, he had a laceration to the left side of the back of his head, his right leg broken in two places, a broken left clavical and a broken left shoulder socket. Expected was that he would have surgery late Wednesday night at Lutheran Hospital, for the clavical and shoulder injuries.
-- Stephanie J. Studebaker, 21, of Spring-Wayne Apartments, Bluffton. She had stomach pains and was indicated getting an MRI Wednesday night amid tests.
-- Bruce L. Stevens, 30, of 6968W 500N, Decatur. He was transported to Bluffton Regional Medical Center but was released after treatment and checking with injuries indicated very minor.
By the accounts, Stephanie Studebaker and Stevens both had been in the car's front seat.
However, Deputy Sheriff Tom Newnum, who was heading the investigation with assistance of other county and state police, said the investigation was continuing as to who was driving the Dodge Intrepid, indicated registered to Stephanie Studebaker.
Questioning of those in the accident produced some variations amid the injuries and impacts over the tragic outcome. Derek Humphrey was sedated with the extent of his injuries.
However, Officer Newnum noted that the driver seat was far back in the position for the male driver in this case.
Stephanie Studebaker, Newnum said, related it wasn't a matter of not seeing the van but the belief they could get through the intersection ahead of it. The witness, who was in westbound vehicle, said it became apparent near impact that the car would not get by. The van plowed into the passenger side back seat and rear quarter.
Stein and Humphrey were ejected from the back seat of the Dodge in the powerful crash impact.
The driver and owner of the van was Ryan D. Rice, 20, of 494W 900N, Decatur.
His five passengers were Amish workers with Adams County Decatur area addresses. They were Marlon L. Schwartz, Jesse Z. Schwartz, Martin F. Schwartz, Carl N. Schwartz and Joseph F. Schwartz.
The van ended on its top facing west in the ditch just off the road near the southeast corner of the intersection. The car also ended in the ditch at the southeast corner area but on its wheels.
Officer Newnum said he reached the scene at 4:46 p.m., four minutes after the 4:42 p.m. call, and was the first responding. He said he could detect no pulse when going quickly to the two who were recorded a fatalities.
No indication of life signs for the two subjects were indicated as EMS units arrived and took over action.
Coroner Doug Cale and Deputy Coroner Kent Gilbert both came to the scene.
Officer Newnum said there was no sign found or given that subjects in the Dodge Intrepid were wearing seatbelts. He stated the opinion that seatbelts could have lessened the extent of harm.
Both vehicles were total losses with damages estimated in the $5,000 to $10,000 range.
Assisting Deputy Newnum at the scene were County Deputies Kurt Powell and Jeff McClish and Sheriff Barry Story in addition to State Trooper Brian Walker and other state police.
The Bluffton Fire Department assisted at the scene with the cleanup and the traffic access. Vehicles were backed up a good ways on Ind. 124 during stretched of the follow-up in the late afternoon busy period.
Another van arrived at the scene to transport the Amish from the van in the crash.
Those from the crash, indicated in their 20s, had been busy at the scene gathering up papers and materials that were strewn from the vehicle in the smashup and in its flipping.
Born in Bluffton on August 9, 1984 to Tony and Desiree Stein Baller, she was a 2002 graduate of Bluffton High School, and was a 2003 graduate of IBS, Medical Assistant.
Survivors include her mother; a daughter, Nicolle Stein; a sister, Chelsie Stein; two brothers, Isaiah and Malcolm Marshall; her step father, Albert Marshall, all of Bluffton; grandparents Jennie Mock, Jim and Marguerite Baller, and Ruby Turner, all of Bluffton, and Claud Marshall of Auburn.
Services will be held at 2 p.m. Monday at Goodwin Memorial Chapel with Tony Robles officiating. Calling hours are Sunday from 1 to 8 p.m. and for one hour prior to the service Monday.
Burial will be in Fairview Cemetery. Preferred memorials are to her daughter.
Two Bluffton residents, both back seat passengers in a Dodge Intrepid that was hit broadside by a van at Ind. 301 and Ind. 124, were dead at the crash scene four miles east of Bluffton late Wednesday afternoon.
Three others in the Intrepid were hurt, one critically.
Of the six occupants of the van, there was just one noted minor cut injury, and that subject declined treatment.
In the crash, by a witness account, police said, the brown 1987 Chevrolet van was eastbound on preferential Ind. 124. The silver 1995 Dodge Intrepid was southbound on Ind. 301. The Dodge driver either failed to stop for the sign or stopped and then pulled into the intersection.
The 4:42 p.m.-reported grinding two-vehicle double fatality smash-up gave Wells County the year 2005's first two traffic deaths.
Dead at the scene and believed killed instantly, were:
-- Adam L. Studebaker, 21, of 1232 West Washington St., Bluffton. He was reported to have been riding in the back seat on the passenger side where the broadside impact came. He was still within the vehicle after the crash.
-- Merissa C. Stein, 20, of 909 West Wabash St., Bluffton. She was reported riding in the middle of the back seat and was ejected onto the ground several feet south of auto.
Injured were:
-- Derek Humphrey, 17, of Bluffton. He was reported riding in the back seat on the driver side. He was flown to Lutheran Hospital. In critical condition with the severity of the injuries although conscious in the aftermath, he had a laceration to the left side of the back of his head, his right leg broken in two places, a broken left clavical and a broken left shoulder socket. Expected was that he would have surgery late Wednesday night at Lutheran Hospital, for the clavical and shoulder injuries.
-- Stephanie J. Studebaker, 21, of Spring-Wayne Apartments, Bluffton. She had stomach pains and was indicated getting an MRI Wednesday night amid tests.
-- Bruce L. Stevens, 30, of 6968W 500N, Decatur. He was transported to Bluffton Regional Medical Center but was released after treatment and checking with injuries indicated very minor.
By the accounts, Stephanie Studebaker and Stevens both had been in the car's front seat.
However, Deputy Sheriff Tom Newnum, who was heading the investigation with assistance of other county and state police, said the investigation was continuing as to who was driving the Dodge Intrepid, indicated registered to Stephanie Studebaker.
Questioning of those in the accident produced some variations amid the injuries and impacts over the tragic outcome. Derek Humphrey was sedated with the extent of his injuries.
However, Officer Newnum noted that the driver seat was far back in the position for the male driver in this case.
Stephanie Studebaker, Newnum said, related it wasn't a matter of not seeing the van but the belief they could get through the intersection ahead of it. The witness, who was in westbound vehicle, said it became apparent near impact that the car would not get by. The van plowed into the passenger side back seat and rear quarter.
Stein and Humphrey were ejected from the back seat of the Dodge in the powerful crash impact.
The driver and owner of the van was Ryan D. Rice, 20, of 494W 900N, Decatur.
His five passengers were Amish workers with Adams County Decatur area addresses. They were Marlon L. Schwartz, Jesse Z. Schwartz, Martin F. Schwartz, Carl N. Schwartz and Joseph F. Schwartz.
The van ended on its top facing west in the ditch just off the road near the southeast corner of the intersection. The car also ended in the ditch at the southeast corner area but on its wheels.
Officer Newnum said he reached the scene at 4:46 p.m., four minutes after the 4:42 p.m. call, and was the first responding. He said he could detect no pulse when going quickly to the two who were recorded a fatalities.
No indication of life signs for the two subjects were indicated as EMS units arrived and took over action.
Coroner Doug Cale and Deputy Coroner Kent Gilbert both came to the scene.
Officer Newnum said there was no sign found or given that subjects in the Dodge Intrepid were wearing seatbelts. He stated the opinion that seatbelts could have lessened the extent of harm.
Both vehicles were total losses with damages estimated in the $5,000 to $10,000 range.
Assisting Deputy Newnum at the scene were County Deputies Kurt Powell and Jeff McClish and Sheriff Barry Story in addition to State Trooper Brian Walker and other state police.
The Bluffton Fire Department assisted at the scene with the cleanup and the traffic access. Vehicles were backed up a good ways on Ind. 124 during stretched of the follow-up in the late afternoon busy period.
Another van arrived at the scene to transport the Amish from the van in the crash.
Those from the crash, indicated in their 20s, had been busy at the scene gathering up papers and materials that were strewn from the vehicle in the smashup and in its flipping.
Marissa Chantelle Stein, 20, of Bluffton, died at 4:46 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 16 of injuries in an automobile accident at SR 124 and SR 301.
Born in Bluffton on August 9, 1984 to Tony and Desiree Stein Baller, she was a 2002 graduate of Bluffton High School, and was a 2003 graduate of IBS, Medical Assistant.
Survivors include her mother; a daughter, Nicolle Stein; a sister, Chelsie Stein; two brothers, Isaiah and Malcolm Marshall; her step father, Albert Marshall, all of Bluffton; grandparents Jennie Mock, Jim and Marguerite Baller, and Ruby Turner, all of Bluffton, and Claud Marshall of Auburn.
Services will be held at 2 p.m. Monday at Goodwin Memorial Chapel with Tony Robles officiating. Calling hours are Sunday from 1 to 8 p.m. and for one hour prior to the service Monday.
Burial will be in Fairview Cemetery. Preferred memorials are to her daughter.
Two Bluffton residents, both back seat passengers in a Dodge Intrepid that was hit broadside by a van at Ind. 301 and Ind. 124, were dead at the crash scene four miles east of Bluffton late Wednesday afternoon.
Three others in the Intrepid were hurt, one critically.
Of the six occupants of the van, there was just one noted minor cut injury, and that subject declined treatment.
In the crash, by a witness account, police said, the brown 1987 Chevrolet van was eastbound on preferential Ind. 124. The silver 1995 Dodge Intrepid was southbound on Ind. 301. The Dodge driver either failed to stop for the sign or stopped and then pulled into the intersection.
The 4:42 p.m.-reported grinding two-vehicle double fatality smash-up gave Wells County the year 2005's first two traffic deaths.
Dead at the scene and believed killed instantly, were:
-- Adam L. Studebaker, 21, of 1232 West Washington St., Bluffton. He was reported to have been riding in the back seat on the passenger side where the broadside impact came. He was still within the vehicle after the crash.
-- Merissa C. Stein, 20, of 909 West Wabash St., Bluffton. She was reported riding in the middle of the back seat and was ejected onto the ground several feet south of auto.
Injured were:
-- Derek Humphrey, 17, of Bluffton. He was reported riding in the back seat on the driver side. He was flown to Lutheran Hospital. In critical condition with the severity of the injuries although conscious in the aftermath, he had a laceration to the left side of the back of his head, his right leg broken in two places, a broken left clavical and a broken left shoulder socket. Expected was that he would have surgery late Wednesday night at Lutheran Hospital, for the clavical and shoulder injuries.
-- Stephanie J. Studebaker, 21, of Spring-Wayne Apartments, Bluffton. She had stomach pains and was indicated getting an MRI Wednesday night amid tests.
-- Bruce L. Stevens, 30, of 6968W 500N, Decatur. He was transported to Bluffton Regional Medical Center but was released after treatment and checking with injuries indicated very minor.
By the accounts, Stephanie Studebaker and Stevens both had been in the car's front seat.
However, Deputy Sheriff Tom Newnum, who was heading the investigation with assistance of other county and state police, said the investigation was continuing as to who was driving the Dodge Intrepid, indicated registered to Stephanie Studebaker.
Questioning of those in the accident produced some variations amid the injuries and impacts over the tragic outcome. Derek Humphrey was sedated with the extent of his injuries.
However, Officer Newnum noted that the driver seat was far back in the position for the male driver in this case.
Stephanie Studebaker, Newnum said, related it wasn't a matter of not seeing the van but the belief they could get through the intersection ahead of it. The witness, who was in westbound vehicle, said it became apparent near impact that the car would not get by. The van plowed into the passenger side back seat and rear quarter.
Stein and Humphrey were ejected from the back seat of the Dodge in the powerful crash impact.
The driver and owner of the van was Ryan D. Rice, 20, of 494W 900N, Decatur.
His five passengers were Amish workers with Adams County Decatur area addresses. They were Marlon L. Schwartz, Jesse Z. Schwartz, Martin F. Schwartz, Carl N. Schwartz and Joseph F. Schwartz.
The van ended on its top facing west in the ditch just off the road near the southeast corner of the intersection. The car also ended in the ditch at the southeast corner area but on its wheels.
Officer Newnum said he reached the scene at 4:46 p.m., four minutes after the 4:42 p.m. call, and was the first responding. He said he could detect no pulse when going quickly to the two who were recorded a fatalities.
No indication of life signs for the two subjects were indicated as EMS units arrived and took over action.
Coroner Doug Cale and Deputy Coroner Kent Gilbert both came to the scene.
Officer Newnum said there was no sign found or given that subjects in the Dodge Intrepid were wearing seatbelts. He stated the opinion that seatbelts could have lessened the extent of harm.
Both vehicles were total losses with damages estimated in the $5,000 to $10,000 range.
Assisting Deputy Newnum at the scene were County Deputies Kurt Powell and Jeff McClish and Sheriff Barry Story in addition to State Trooper Brian Walker and other state police.
The Bluffton Fire Department assisted at the scene with the cleanup and the traffic access. Vehicles were backed up a good ways on Ind. 124 during stretched of the follow-up in the late afternoon busy period.
Another van arrived at the scene to transport the Amish from the van in the crash.
Those from the crash, indicated in their 20s, had been busy at the scene gathering up papers and materials that were strewn from the vehicle in the smashup and in its flipping.
Born in Bluffton on August 9, 1984 to Tony and Desiree Stein Baller, she was a 2002 graduate of Bluffton High School, and was a 2003 graduate of IBS, Medical Assistant.
Survivors include her mother; a daughter, Nicolle Stein; a sister, Chelsie Stein; two brothers, Isaiah and Malcolm Marshall; her step father, Albert Marshall, all of Bluffton; grandparents Jennie Mock, Jim and Marguerite Baller, and Ruby Turner, all of Bluffton, and Claud Marshall of Auburn.
Services will be held at 2 p.m. Monday at Goodwin Memorial Chapel with Tony Robles officiating. Calling hours are Sunday from 1 to 8 p.m. and for one hour prior to the service Monday.
Burial will be in Fairview Cemetery. Preferred memorials are to her daughter.
Two Bluffton residents, both back seat passengers in a Dodge Intrepid that was hit broadside by a van at Ind. 301 and Ind. 124, were dead at the crash scene four miles east of Bluffton late Wednesday afternoon.
Three others in the Intrepid were hurt, one critically.
Of the six occupants of the van, there was just one noted minor cut injury, and that subject declined treatment.
In the crash, by a witness account, police said, the brown 1987 Chevrolet van was eastbound on preferential Ind. 124. The silver 1995 Dodge Intrepid was southbound on Ind. 301. The Dodge driver either failed to stop for the sign or stopped and then pulled into the intersection.
The 4:42 p.m.-reported grinding two-vehicle double fatality smash-up gave Wells County the year 2005's first two traffic deaths.
Dead at the scene and believed killed instantly, were:
-- Adam L. Studebaker, 21, of 1232 West Washington St., Bluffton. He was reported to have been riding in the back seat on the passenger side where the broadside impact came. He was still within the vehicle after the crash.
-- Merissa C. Stein, 20, of 909 West Wabash St., Bluffton. She was reported riding in the middle of the back seat and was ejected onto the ground several feet south of auto.
Injured were:
-- Derek Humphrey, 17, of Bluffton. He was reported riding in the back seat on the driver side. He was flown to Lutheran Hospital. In critical condition with the severity of the injuries although conscious in the aftermath, he had a laceration to the left side of the back of his head, his right leg broken in two places, a broken left clavical and a broken left shoulder socket. Expected was that he would have surgery late Wednesday night at Lutheran Hospital, for the clavical and shoulder injuries.
-- Stephanie J. Studebaker, 21, of Spring-Wayne Apartments, Bluffton. She had stomach pains and was indicated getting an MRI Wednesday night amid tests.
-- Bruce L. Stevens, 30, of 6968W 500N, Decatur. He was transported to Bluffton Regional Medical Center but was released after treatment and checking with injuries indicated very minor.
By the accounts, Stephanie Studebaker and Stevens both had been in the car's front seat.
However, Deputy Sheriff Tom Newnum, who was heading the investigation with assistance of other county and state police, said the investigation was continuing as to who was driving the Dodge Intrepid, indicated registered to Stephanie Studebaker.
Questioning of those in the accident produced some variations amid the injuries and impacts over the tragic outcome. Derek Humphrey was sedated with the extent of his injuries.
However, Officer Newnum noted that the driver seat was far back in the position for the male driver in this case.
Stephanie Studebaker, Newnum said, related it wasn't a matter of not seeing the van but the belief they could get through the intersection ahead of it. The witness, who was in westbound vehicle, said it became apparent near impact that the car would not get by. The van plowed into the passenger side back seat and rear quarter.
Stein and Humphrey were ejected from the back seat of the Dodge in the powerful crash impact.
The driver and owner of the van was Ryan D. Rice, 20, of 494W 900N, Decatur.
His five passengers were Amish workers with Adams County Decatur area addresses. They were Marlon L. Schwartz, Jesse Z. Schwartz, Martin F. Schwartz, Carl N. Schwartz and Joseph F. Schwartz.
The van ended on its top facing west in the ditch just off the road near the southeast corner of the intersection. The car also ended in the ditch at the southeast corner area but on its wheels.
Officer Newnum said he reached the scene at 4:46 p.m., four minutes after the 4:42 p.m. call, and was the first responding. He said he could detect no pulse when going quickly to the two who were recorded a fatalities.
No indication of life signs for the two subjects were indicated as EMS units arrived and took over action.
Coroner Doug Cale and Deputy Coroner Kent Gilbert both came to the scene.
Officer Newnum said there was no sign found or given that subjects in the Dodge Intrepid were wearing seatbelts. He stated the opinion that seatbelts could have lessened the extent of harm.
Both vehicles were total losses with damages estimated in the $5,000 to $10,000 range.
Assisting Deputy Newnum at the scene were County Deputies Kurt Powell and Jeff McClish and Sheriff Barry Story in addition to State Trooper Brian Walker and other state police.
The Bluffton Fire Department assisted at the scene with the cleanup and the traffic access. Vehicles were backed up a good ways on Ind. 124 during stretched of the follow-up in the late afternoon busy period.
Another van arrived at the scene to transport the Amish from the van in the crash.
Those from the crash, indicated in their 20s, had been busy at the scene gathering up papers and materials that were strewn from the vehicle in the smashup and in its flipping.
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