Elkhart County, Indiana — A winter night on State Road 13 turned deadly when 17-year-old JayDee Miller lost their life in a crash just before 10 p.m. Sunday, officials reported. The passenger van Miller was riding in slid on snow-packed pavement, crossed the center line and smashed into an oncoming semi-truck, sheriff’s deputies said.
Snow and ice blanketed the road, making travel treacherous, and preliminary findings point to those slick conditions as a major factor in the tragedy. Investigators believe the van lost traction and drifted into the opposite lane, where the semi struck it head-on. Emergency crews rushed to the scene east of Goshen.
Miller, a local teenager from Elkhart, was pronounced dead at the scene. Law enforcement confirmed that family members were notified, but no other personal details were released as relatives mourn. The loss of such a young life has shaken the tight-knit community.
The driver of the van survived but suffered minor injuries. They were taken to a nearby hospital for treatment and are expected to recover. Officials said the semi-truck driver was not seriously hurt. No other vehicles were involved in the collision.
Crews kept parts of the highway closed for hours while investigators documented the scene and cleared debris. Sheriff’s deputies want drivers to remember how quickly winter conditions can change, especially on rural two-lane roads like State Road 13. Even moderate speeds can become dangerous when ice and snow reduce traction.
Winter weather warnings and travel advisories were in effect in northern Indiana that evening, urging drivers to slow down, increase following distance and think twice before heading out. Law enforcement reiterated these precautions in the hours after the crash.
The Elkhart County Sheriff’s Office says the investigation is ongoing. They will review weather data, vehicle information and other details to understand exactly how the crash unfolded. Officials asked the public to hold the Miller family in their thoughts during this difficult time.
