Published: June 05, 2009 08:26 pm      

Teen killed on Ind. 18

Miami County road fatality is third in one week

Teen killed on Ind. 18

Miami County road fatality is third in one week

By SCOTT SMITH

FOR THE PHAROS-TRIBUNE

A 14-year-old pedestrian was struck and killed by a semi-trailer along Ind. 18 in Miami County late Thursday, marking the third traffic fatality in a week for the mostly rural county.

The accident also happened the same day two teens riding on a mo-ped were involved in a serious accident in Peru.

Miami County sheriff’s investigators said the truck hit a pedestrian while westbound near 300 East. Deputies were called about 10:50 p.m.

Krystle D. Gingerich, 14, suffered severe head trauma and was pronounced dead at the scene by Deputy Coroner John Boyer.

Police said the driver of the truck was Russell A. Kyburz, 58, New Bremen, Ohio.

Sheriff Sgt. Gary Glassburn said the accident happened in front of the girl’s home.

“I don’t know why she was on the road,” Glassburn said. “I just don’t have a lot of answers right now.”

He said the driver reported seeing the girl too late to take evasive action.

Glassburn added the stretch of Ind. 18 between U.S. 31 and Converse was recently paved with chip-and-seal, meaning there were no marks on the road to distinguish shoulders or a center line.

Deputies were assisted at the scene by the Amboy Fire Department, Converse EMS and Dukes Hospital EMS.

The girl was the third person to die on Miami County roads this week.

Earlier Thursday evening, police said two teens riding a mo-ped appeared to have driven into the side of a passing truck at Sixth and Wayne streets in Peru.

The truck had the right of way at the two-way stop.

Peru police said Levi Garling, 16, was driving the mo-ped around 9:22 p.m. with friend Chyenne Cox, 15, riding on the back.

Both Garling and Cox were eventually flown by Lifeline helicopter to Fort Wayne. No information on their condition was immediately available Friday, but police at the scene originally listed injuries for both as “non-incapacitating.” Police said Garling sustained a fracture or dislocation in the knee/lower leg and Cox suffered a head injury.

The two accidents Thursday capped what Miami County Sheriff Ken Roland called “just a really bad week.”

Audra D. Hays, 36, Peru, was driving north on 300 East Sunday when Joshua A. Morgan, 17, Peru, ran through a stop sign at the intersection of 300 East and 850 South at full speed, T-boning Hays’ van, police said.

Hays passed away at Parkview Hospital, Fort Wayne, on Monday, the same day Brian K. Eaker, 44, Denver, was struck and killed by a semi-trailer at U.S. 24 and Mexico Road in Peru.

Eaker was flown to Lutheran Hospital after the accident, which witnesses blamed on the semi driver running a red light.

On Friday, Peru Police Chief Bill Raber said the Eaker case was still under investigation. State police decided earlier in the week no charges would be filed against the teen driver in the Audra Hays accident.

• Scott Smith is a Kokomo Tribune staff writer. He may be reached at (765) 454-8569 or via e-mail at scott.smith@kokomotribune.com