Authorities in Kosciusko County are working to determine the events that led to a deadly head-on collision late Thursday morning in Van Buren Township. The tragic crash, which claimed the lives of two local residents, occurred along State Road 15 just north of Waubee Road near Milford. The incident prompted a significant emergency response as first responders rushed to the scene following multiple 911 calls.
According to the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Department, the crash was reported around 11:30 a.m. Callers described a violent impact involving a passenger car and a pickup truck. When deputies, firefighters, and medics arrived, they found both vehicles severely damaged, signaling a high-speed and forceful collision. The roadway was immediately shut down to protect the scene and allow medical personnel to reach the victims.
Officials identified the driver of the passenger car as 19-year-old Sarah Mischke of Milford. Responders quickly discovered that her injuries were catastrophic. Despite rapid emergency efforts, the Kosciusko County Coroner’s Office pronounced her dead at the scene, noting that she appeared to have died on impact. The loss of the young Milford resident has deeply shaken the community, which has struggled to process the sudden death of someone at the very beginning of adulthood.
The driver of the pickup truck, 68-year-old Dale Wert of Goshen, was found in critical condition. Medics worked urgently to stabilize him before transporting him by ambulance to a Fort Wayne hospital. Despite the efforts of the medical team, Wert later died from his injuries after arriving at the facility. His passing marked the second fatality from the crash and brought additional grief to residents in Goshen who knew Wert as a longtime community member.
In the hours following the collision, the sheriff’s department closed the affected portion of State Road 15 to allow members of the Fatal Accident Crash Team (FACT) to conduct a detailed investigation. Officers documented skid marks, vehicle positions, debris patterns, and other physical evidence in an effort to reconstruct the moments leading up to the crash. Investigators are reviewing all potential factors, including speed, lane positioning, weather conditions, and mechanical issues, though no official cause has yet been determined.
Authorities urge anyone who witnessed the crash or was driving through the area around the time of the collision to contact the sheriff’s office with information. The investigation remains active, and additional details are expected as the FACT team continues to analyze evidence and prepare its final report.
