WHITLEY COUNTY — A crash on State Road 9 in Whitley County claimed two lives, including that of a 17-year-old, on Tuesday.
According to Indiana State Police, troopers responded to the intersection of State Road 9 and County Road 500 North at 2:40 p.m.
Preliminary investigations indicate a blue Dodge Avenger, carrying six occupants, was traveling south on SR 9 when it crossed the center line into oncoming traffic.
The vehicle collided with a black Ford F-350 pickup truck that was headed north. The driver of the Dodge, identified as 17-year-old Helmin Ruiz of Huntington, and 40-year-old Trinidad Vasquez did not survive.
The remaining passengers in the Dodge—20-year-old Jeremias Vazquez, 35-year-old Rolando Garcia, 59-year-old Jose Mena, and 31-year-old Auara Solano, all from Huntington—were transported to a local hospital with injuries ranging from minor to severe.
The Ford F-350 was operated by 51-year-old JD Fishburn of Columbia City; ISP has not released details on his condition.
The investigation into the crash is ongoing.