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St. Joseph County-A four vehicle crash at the 84 mile marker on the Indiana
Toll Road began with a call of an erratic driver.
Around 7:26 p.m. on June 17, 2018, Indiana State Troopers were responding to
a call about a dark gray or black Toyota that was reported to be driving
erratically eastbound near the 83 mile marker. A short time later the Toyota purportedly
turned around in the area of the 88 mile marker and began to drive westbound in
the eastbound lanes.
At approximately 7:32 p.m. reports were received by Indiana State Police
Dispatch of a crash involving multiple vehicles at the 84 mile marker
eastbound. This is approximately one
mile east of the Mishawaka exit.
Preliminary investigation by Trooper Aaron Price shows that the Toyota,
reported to be driving the wrong way, was travelling westbound in the eastbound
passing lane when it collided with a Black 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe driven by,
Octavius Rice, age 46 of Painesville, OH.
The Toyota then collided with a silver 2015 Kenworth, driven by Ivan
Radov, age 30 of Berrien Springs, MI, that was travelling in the right lane. A silver 2012 Chevrolet Malibu that was also
driving eastbound swerved to the left to avoid the initial crash and lost
control. The Malibu went through the
center median, hitting crash barrels, before coming to a final rest in the
westbound passing lane. The Malibu was
driven by, Jasmine White, age 26 of Bowling Green, OH. White was transported to the hospital with non-life-threatening
injuries.
After being hit head-on by the Toyota, the Chevrolet Tahoe came to rest in
the center median and reportedly was on its right side until rolled over by motorists
that had stopped. Motorists and
responding troopers used fire extinguishers to put out a fire in the engine of
the Tahoe. The front seat passenger of
the Tahoe, identified as Denita Rice, age 42 of Painesville, OH, was pronounced
deceased at the scene. One year old
Bryson Rice was also pronounced deceased at the scene. Twelve year old Makayla Lanier, of Painesville,
OH, was taken to Memorial Hospital where she later died from her injuries. Nila Watkins, age 10 of Painesville, OH, was
taken to Memorial Hospital and later flown to Riley’s Children’s Hospital with
serious injuries. Octavius Rice was
taken to Memorial Hospital with serious injuries.
Radov did not suffer any injuries.
The driver of the Toyota, Chintan Patel, age 32 of South Bend, IN, had to be
extricated and was taken to Memorial Hospital in South Bend with serious
life-threatening injuries.
Both westbound and eastbound lanes were closed for crash investigation and
clean up. One lane eastbound and one
lane westbound were opened up at approximately 1:05 a.m. All lanes opened up at
approximately 1:24 a.m.
Alcohol is suspected as a factor in this crash.
Family of the deceased have been notified.
This is an ongoing investigation.
The Indiana State Police was assisted by Clay Territory Fire and EMS, Randy’s
Towing, Tony’s Mobil, SunPro, ITRCC Maintenance, and St. Joseph County FACT.
*All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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