10/16/2026
MPD Officer Chris McAninch assisted in saving an elderly man's life after a rear end crash that caused the man's car to become engulfed in flames. Off. McAninch was off duty at the time and was directly involved in rescuing the unconscious citizen from his burning vehicle and providing medical assistance after. Fantastic work, Off. McAninch!!! Your partners and the citizens of Marion are proud of you!
Date: 10/15/2026
Time: 11:45 PM
Reference ID: S26-16511
What: Two vehicles, rear-end collision, Serious Bodily Injury (SBI) crash
Where: U.S. 24 & S.R. 114
When: Thursday, October 15, 2026 @ approximately 4:42 PM How: A van drove into the back of a stationary passenger car
Notes: A Buick passenger car was stopped at a red light on U.S. 24 Eastbound, at S.R. 114. A Ford Transit van struck the back of the Buick, spinning the Buick onto the Eastbound shoulder. The Ford van came to rest in the eastbound lanes, in the intersection. The Buick caught fire and several civilians stopped to assist, pulling the driver from the burning Buick. Several of the civilians sustained minor burns, cuts and abrasions during the rescue effort. The driver of the Buick was transported to Ft. Wayne, before being airlifted to Indianapolis. The driver of the Ford was treated and released at the scene. Distracted driving (cell phone) is a suspected contributing factor to the crash. The incident is currently under investigation by the Huntington County Sheriff’s Office.
Notes of interest: . Several civilians conducted a rescue, removing the driver of the Buick while it was burning. Witnesses stated the man’s head was on fire when he was pulled from the vehicle, as the headliner was melting and dripping down. Several suffered minor burns, cuts and abrasions during the rescue.
On behalf of the family and the first responders, special thanks to those heroes, putting themselves in harm's way and saving a life:
-Justice Champion
-Nicholas Adams
-Russell Stine
-Christopher Barbknecht
-Nicholas Filler
-William Anguium
-OFF DUTY Marion PD Officer Christopher McAninch
Assisting Agencies:
-Huntington County Sheriff’s Office
-Roanoke Police Department
-Whitley County Sheriff’s Office
-Indiana State Police
-Roanoke Fire Department
-Jefferson Center Fire Department
- Washington Township Volunteer Fire Department
-Southwest Fire District
-West Central Fire Protection District
-Parkview EMS
-Huntington County Emergency Management
-Huntington County EMA Traffic Team
