By SYDNEY KENT
The woman involved in a crash that nearly claimed the life of a Wells County teen and injured another in 2023 has pled guilty to two felony charges.
Christen Gerber, 42, Bluffton, pled guilty to one count of causing catastrophic injury for operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated, a Level 4 felony, and one count of causing serious bodily injury when operating a vehicle while intoxicated, a Level 5 felony.
According to a probable cause affidavit, the charges were filed in March 2023 after Gerber drove her Chevy Traverse through a stop sign at Adams County Road 700W and S.R. 124. She collided with a vehicle occupied by two Wells County teens, Kaylee Heckber and Keaton Osmun. Osmun suffered minor physical injuries from the crash.
Heckber, however, was ejected from the vehicle. She initially had a faint pulse before first responders could not detect any pulse at all. Doctors reportedly did not expect her to live through the week following the crash. Heckber was hospitalized for over a month and was miraculously able to return home.
Officers noted open alcohol containers in Gerber’s vehicle. She also admitted to drinking vodka in her car prior to the accident.
As part of the plea agreement, signed May 22, additional counts for causing catastrophic injury for operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated and causing serious bodily injury when operating a vehicle while intoxicated were dismissed.
Adams County Prosecutor Jeremy Brown confirmed that each count that Gerber pled guilty to represents Heckber and Osmun in the crash.
Brown also explained that the case has awaited disposition for over a year due to the nature of the charge.
“In order to convict someone of causing serious catastrophic bodily injury,” Brown said. “The victim’s injury must be significant for over one year. We were of course all hoping and praying Kaylee’s condition would continue to improve. However, if her injuries lasted longer than one year, well, that is a more serious charge.”
A lawsuit against Gerber was also filed by Osmun’s mother, Brandy Carr, seeking “all damages proximately caused by (Gerber’s) negligence.”
On March 17, 2024, 17-year-old Osmun tragically lost his life in a vehicle accident along with Lillyian Ellenberger, 19, in rural Ossian. It is unclear if the lawsuit will continue.
Gerber’s charges carry a maximum sentence of 18 years. She is scheduled for a sentencing hearing in the matter at 10 a.m. on Aug. 12 in the Adams County Superior Court.
sydney@news-banner.com
