The Indiana State Police is investigating a multi-vehicle crash that resulted in the death of four people.
On Tuesday, February 3, just before 4:00pm, the Indiana State Police were called to the area of State Road 67 and County Road 550 East in Jay County to assist the Jay County Sheriff’s Department with a crash. The investigation shows that a 2019 International semi tractor trailer, driven by Gert Pretoruis (44) of Geneva, was traveling east on State Road 67 near County Road 550 East when it slowed down for traffic. A 2022 Freightliner semi tractor trailer, driven by Bekzhan Beishekeev (30) of Philadelphia, PA, that was also eastbound did not stop and swerved into the westbound lane hitting a 2011 Chevrolet van that was driven by Donald Stipp (55) of Portland. The Jay County Coroner’s Office has identified Henry Eicher (50) of Bryant, Menno Eicher (25) of Bryant, Paul Eicher (19) of Bryant, and Simon Girod (23) of Bryant as the four people who were killed in the crash. The Indiana State Police Critical Incident Reconstruction Team is working with the Indiana State Police Commercial Vehicle Division, Jay County Sheriff’s Department, and Jay County Coroner’s Office to complete this investigation.
The investigation is still active and as more information becomes available, this release will be updated. The Indiana State Police Troopers at the scene were assisted by the Indiana State Police Critical Incident Team, Indiana State Police Commercial Vehicle Division, Jay County Sheriff’s Department, Portland Police Department, Portland Fire Department, Bryant Fire Department, Geneva Fire Department, Jay County Coroner’s Office, and Jay County EMS.
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