Miami County – Last night at approximately 9:08 p.m., officers from the Indiana State Police and the Miami County Sheriff’s Department responded to a two vehicle crash on U.S. 24 near Miami County Road 250 North, in which three people died.
The preliminary crash investigation by Trooper A.J. Coffee revealed that William Thorn, 86, Peru, IN, was driving a 2010 Toyota Camry. For an undetermined reason, Thorn was driving westbound in the eastbound lanes of U.S. 24. The Toyota struck, head on, an eastbound 2003 Mazda Protégé near County Road 250 North. The Mazda was driven by Ethan Richman, 18, Kokomo, IN.
Thorn and Richman were pronounced dead at the scene. Lea Byers, 19, Greentown, IN, a passenger in the Mazda, was also pronounced dead at the scene.
All participants in the crash were wearing seat belts, but the crash impact was too severe for the restraints to prevent the three deaths.
This is an ongoing investigation, but at this time neither the use of alcohol nor narcotics is suspected as having contributed to the crash.
Trooper Coffee was assisted at the crash scene by ISP Sergeant Rick Brown, Trooper Matt Moon, Trooper Dustin Rutledge, the Miami County Coroner’s Office, and the Peru Fire Department.
One photo attached.
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