A late-night crash on South Bend's northeast side has left a 24-year-old woman dead and the driver facing serious felony charges. Investigators say a single vehicle slammed into the back of a parked tow truck near McKinley Avenue and Manchester Drive on June 27, killing the passenger at the scene and sending the driver to the hospital before she was taken into custody. The St. Joseph County Fatal Crash Team is now working to sort out exactly what happened.
Crash Details and Initial Response
Local television station WNDU reported that officers were dispatched around 10:30 p.m. to the intersection of McKinley Avenue and Manchester Drive. They arrived to find a vehicle that had collided with the rear of a tow truck that was parked at the scene.
According to WNDU, the passenger suffered severe injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver was not reported to have major injuries and was taken to a nearby hospital for evaluation. The outlet also noted that the St. Joseph County Fatal Crash Team has taken the lead on the investigation.
Victim, Suspect and Charges
In a social media post, the South Bend Police Department identified the passenger as 24-year-old Naomie Gregory and the driver as 26-year-old Dadranae Taylor. Police said Taylor was not seriously hurt in the crash.
According to the same post from the South Bend Police Department, the St. Joseph County Prosecutor's Office has filed two felony charges against Taylor: reckless homicide, a Level 5 felony, and causing death when operating a vehicle while intoxicated, a Level 4 felony. Taylor was taken to the St. Joseph County Jail.
Police also said that while Taylor was being evaluated at the hospital, she admitted to drinking earlier in the night and smoking marijuana, and told investigators she got behind the wheel because her passenger was too intoxicated to drive, according to the South Bend Police Department.
What the Charges Could Carry
Under Indiana law, a Level 4 felony carries a fixed prison term of two to twelve years, while a Level 5 felony carries between one and six years. Fines of up to $10,000 may also be imposed, according to the Indiana Code.
Those sentencing ranges are baselines. Actual exposure can increase depending on any enhancements, prior convictions or plea agreements that might come into play. At this point in the case, no formal conviction has been entered and Taylor is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
Investigation Continues
The St. Joseph County Fatal Crash Team remains on the case and is continuing to gather evidence and reconstruct the collision, according to WNDU. The driver was taken from the scene to a nearby hospital before being transported to jail, and investigators are expected to rely on those medical evaluations as part of their work.
Authorities have not released information about an arraignment or initial court date, according to the South Bend Police Department. The St. Joseph County Prosecutor's Office will handle any further charging decisions and upcoming court proceedings as the case moves forward.
