PORTLAND, Ind. (Oct. 3, 2023) – A semi truck collision on State Road 67 in northeastern Jay County resulted in four fatalities and left one individual hospitalized.
According to Indiana State Police, the crash occurred around 2:41 p.m. when 30-year-old Bekzhan Beishekeev swerved into oncoming traffic to avoid slowing vehicles, colliding with a van carrying Amish construction workers. The collision involved two semis and the passenger van.
The van, driven by 55-year-old Donald Stipp of Portland, was returning from a work site when the accident happened. Stipp suffered serious injuries, including a fractured spine and cracked rib, and is currently recovering in the hospital. He is responsive following surgery, according to family members.
The Jay County Coroner identified the deceased passengers as 50-year-old Henry Eicher, 25-year-old Menno Eicher, 19-year-old Paul Eicher, and 23-year-old Simon Girod, all residents of Bryant, Indiana.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has taken Beishekeev into custody. He reportedly had a Pennsylvania commercial driver's license issued in July 2025 and entered the U.S. through a legal asylum application, as confirmed by the Department of Homeland Security.
Lane closures were in effect while the crash was being investigated, and Indiana State Police are leading that investigation.