A 21-year-old Walkerton woman is facing several operating while intoxicated charges after investigators say her car crossed the center line on State Road 2 on Sunday evening and struck another vehicle head-on, leaving a man with serious injuries. The collision happened west of County Road 100 South, and the driver of the Toyota was airlifted from the scene. The Buick's driver, identified as Mackenzie J. Miller, was taken to a local hospital, then booked into the La Porte County Jail, where she is being held on a cash-only bond, according to authorities.
Crash on SR 2 west of CR 100 South
Deputy Patrick Wedow responded at about 8:46 p.m. Sunday to reports of a two-vehicle crash on State Road 2 west of County Road 100 South. Investigators say Miller was driving eastbound in a red 2014 Buick when it crossed the center line and hit a silver 1999 Toyota driven by 47-year-old Franklin W. Lile of Wanatah. Lile was airlifted to a regional hospital with serious bodily injuries. Those details were reported by WNDU.
Charges and court action
According to La Porte County officials, Capt. Andy Hynek prepared a probable cause affidavit and sent charging paperwork to the county prosecutor. The La Porte County Circuit Court found probable cause and charged Miller on Tuesday. She faces Operating While Intoxicated Causing Serious Bodily Injury, which is filed as a felony, along with Operating While Intoxicated Endangerment and Operating While Intoxicated, both Class A misdemeanors. Those details appeared in a Facebook post by the La Porte County Sheriff's Office, which states that Miller is being held on a $15,005 cash-only bond.
Investigators and response
Multiple agencies assisted at the scene, including detective sergeants, detectives and deputies, the Scipio Township Volunteer Fire Department, La Porte County EMS and Lutheran Air. The Indiana Department of Transportation and a local towing service helped clear the roadway. The sheriff's office says the crash investigation is ongoing and no additional details about what led the Buick to cross the center line have been released, as reported by WIMS Radio.
Legal context
The most serious count, operating while intoxicated causing serious bodily injury, is charged as a felony under Indiana law, and potential penalties depend on the offense classification and any prior convictions. Indiana's OWI statutes and enhancements are codified at IC 9-30-5, which outlines offenses and possible enhancements under state law, per the Indiana Code.
What’s next
Miller remains in the La Porte County Jail pending further court proceedings as prosecutors determine formal filings and arraignment dates. Authorities have asked anyone with information or video related to the crash to contact the La Porte County Sheriff's Office as the investigation continues.
"Arrests and criminal charges are mere accusations. Every person is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law," the sheriff's office wrote in its La Porte County Sheriff's Office Facebook post. Officials say the investigation remains active and that additional information will be released through official channels when available.
