ISP: Three dead, including mother and daughter, after pursuit ends in Pike Co. crash
PIKE CO., Ind. (WFIE) - 14 News has received new details from police following a deadly crash that also injured multiple children in Pike County.
As we first reported, first responders were called to the scene of the crash at State Road 64 and County Road 1000 East on Saturday evening.
An initial report from Indiana State Police late Saturday night said that two people were killed in the wreck, and that four children were also critically injured.
Since then, 14 News has spoken with the mother of one of those injured children. She told us that 8-year-old Oaklie is recovering in the pediatric ICU, and that Oaklie and the other kids were on their way home from a Pike County Girl Scout trip to Holiday World when the crash happened.
On Sunday we learned that another child, Michaela, and her mother, Amanda Wertman, were both killed in the accident.
We’ve now received a Monday afternoon update from Indiana State Police. They tell us the crash happened after a chase of a car believed to be involved in an active domestic violence incident.
According to state police, a Pike County sheriff’s deputy was responding to a domestic violence call at the Country Junction gas station near the intersection of State Road 64 and State Road 61 around 7:42 p.m. Saturday.
As the deputy approached, a red Toyota Camry believed to be involved in the incident left the gas station, ran another driver off the road, and continued eastbound on State Road 64. State police say the Camry also failed to stop at a flashing red light at State Road 61 and State Road 64.
Investigators say the Camry then crossed into the deputy’s lane and attempted to strike the deputy’s vehicle. The deputy was able to avoid being hit, turned around, and began pursuing the Camry.
A short time later, state police say the Camry crossed the centerline near County Road 900 East and hit a Toyota Sienna head-on. The Sienna was driven by 41-year-old Amanda Wertman of Winslow, Indiana. Four children were also in the Sienna with her.
Wertman and the driver of the Camry both died at the scene. The identity of the Camry’s driver has not yet been released.
All four children traveling in the Sienna were taken to local hospitals. State police say Wertman’s 8-year-old daughter, Michaela, died at a Louisville, Kentucky, hospital.
The three other children remain hospitalized but are expected to recover.
The ISP Crash Reconstruction Team is currently investigating.
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