On August 12, 2026, just before 10:00 a.m., the Benton County Sheriff’s Office responded to a two vehicle fatal crash on State Road 18 near County Road 1200 East. At the request of the Benton County Sheriff’s Office, the Indiana State Police Crash Reconstruction Team will be handling the investigation.
A preliminary investigation by Trooper Wiley revealed that INDOT was conducting a chip and seal operation on State Road 18 near County Road 1200 East. A crew was providing traffic control for the operation and had westbound traffic stopped. The traffic control operation caused a 2006 Toyota Scion to come to a stop.
At the same time, a 2013 Chevrolet Silverado was traveling westbound on State Road 18. The driver of the Silverado failed to stop and struck the Scion. Both vehicles came to rest on the southwest side of the intersection.
Despite lifesaving efforts, the driver of the Scion was pronounced deceased at the scene by the Benton County Coroner. The driver’s name will be released at a later date by the Benton County Coroner once positive identification has been made and notification of next of kin has occurred. A second occupant of the Scion was transported to an area hospital for treatment.
The driver of the Silverado was not injured in the crash.
Trooper Wiley was assisted at the scene by the Benton County Sheriff’s Office, Fowler Police Department, Otterbein Police Department, Benton County Coroner’s Office, Otterbein Fire Department, Benton County EMS, Jasper County EMS, and Brookston Fire Department.
There is no further information to release at this time.