A late-morning crash at a Miami County crossroads left a 79-year-old man dead and three others injured yesterday, after two vehicles collided at the intersection of U.S. Highway 31 and State Road 16 near Denver, authorities said.
The collision happened around 11 a.m. and drew a full emergency response from the Miami County Sheriff's Department, Parkview EMS, the Denver Fire Department and the county coroner, with Indiana State Police assisting with the investigation at the busy north-south highway.
Investigators said the crash involved a 2021 Lexus and a 2019 Honda CR‑V. According to a press release reported by FOX59, the Lexus was traveling west on State Road 16 and attempting to cross U.S. 31 when it moved into the path of the southbound Honda.
The Miami County coroner identified the Honda's driver as 79-year-old Joseph Wilhelm of South Haven, Michigan. He was pronounced dead at the scene. A 78-year-old passenger in the Honda was flown to a hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries, officials said. The Lexus driver and passenger, both older than 84, were taken to a local hospital and treated for non-life-threatening injuries.
Crash site on a busy U.S. 31 stretch
The intersection where State Road 16 meets U.S. 31 sits along a well-traveled corridor that carries regional traffic between Kokomo and the South Bend area. The Indiana Department of Transportation has been carrying out safety projects and upgrades along U.S. 31, including work that affects Miami County, aimed at reducing at-grade conflicts and improving roadway safety, according to INDOT.
Investigators say drugs, alcohol not factors
Indiana State Police troopers said preliminary findings indicate the Lexus moved into the path of the Honda, and the agency reported that drugs or alcohol were not factors in the collision, according to the press release cited by FOX59. Local agencies are continuing to investigate as they complete crash reports and as the Miami County coroner finalizes the victim's identification details.
Authorities did not immediately announce any criminal charges related to the crash. This story will be updated if Indiana State Police or Miami County officials release additional information.
