(JAY COUNTY) - Four people were killed in a violent multi-vehicle crash involving two semi trucks and a van Tuesday afternoon in Jay County, according to the Indiana State Police.
Troopers were called shortly before 4 p.m. to the intersection of State Road 67 and County Road 550 East to assist the Jay County Sheriff's Department.
Investigators say a 2019 International semi, driven eastbound by 44-year-old Gert Pretoruis of Geneva, slowed for traffic. A second eastbound semi -- a 2022 Freightliner driven by 30-year-old Bekzhan Beishekeev of Philadelphia -- failed to stop, crossed into the westbound lane, and struck a Chevrolet van head-on.
The van was driven by 55-year-old Donald Stipp of Portland.
The Jay County Coroner's Office identified the four victims killed in the crash as Henry Eicher, 50; Menno Eicher, 25; Paul Eicher, 19; and Simon Girod, 23 -- all of Bryant.
The Indiana State Police Critical Incident Reconstruction Team is leading the investigation with assistance from the ISP Commercial Vehicle Division, Jay County Sheriff's Department, and the coroner's office.
Numerous local agencies responded to the scene, including Portland, Bryant, and Geneva fire departments, Portland Police, and Jay County EMS.
The investigation remains active. Authorities say additional information will be released as it becomes available.