GARRETT, Ind. — A quiet Sunday morning in DeKalb County turned tragic when 25‑year‑old Tristan Boyles of Kendallville lost his life in a single‑vehicle crash. What began as an ordinary drive ended with a deadly collision that shook his family and neighbors.
Shortly before 7 a.m., Boyles was heading east on County Road 52 in the 500 block when his vehicle suddenly left the road. The car dropped off the south side of the pavement and smashed into a utility pole with a force that flipped it onto its roof.
When emergency crews from the Garrett Fire Department arrived, they found the vehicle resting in a patch of deep water beside the road. The scene was quiet except for the sound of sirens and the steady flow of water from recent rains.
Rescuers worked quickly to free Boyles from the wreckage, but it was clear that his injuries were grave. Within minutes, medical teams from Garrett Police and Parkview EMS declared him dead at the scene. There were no other passengers.
People who live nearby described Boyles as a friendly young man who loved fast cars and weekend drives. They say he was known around town, always ready to help with a wave or a smile.
The crash has left his family and friends searching for answers. Officials say they are investigating what caused Boyles’ car to veer off the road, but so far there is no clear explanation. Weather conditions, speed and vehicle issues are all being considered.
As the community mourns, they remember Boyles not for how he died but for the life he lived — brief, bright and full of promise.
