1 dead, 4 injured after semitractor-trailer hits minivan in Kokomo

KOKOMO, Ind. (WISH) — An Indianapolis man died and four other people were injured Wednesday evening when a semitractor-trailer hit a minivan at a major intersection on the south side of Kokomo.

Joshua Randall Rhoads, 47, died of multiple blunt force injuries just before 6 p.m. Wednesday at the intersection of U.S. 31 and State Road 26, according to the Howard County Coroner’s Office. The coroner ruled his death an accident and notified his family.

Indiana State Police investigators said a 2017 Chrysler Pacifica was traveling north on U.S. 31 and exited onto State Road 26. At the same time, a 2003 Peterbilt semitractor-trailer was traveling east on State Road 26. The Chrysler entered the intersection, and the semitractor-trailer hit it.

The crash happened at a spot where traffic exiting U.S. 31 onto State Road 26 faces a stop sign. Eastbound traffic on State Road 26 does not have a stop sign.

Rhoads was a passenger in the Chrysler and died at the scene despite lifesaving efforts. Medical crews flew the Chrysler driver, who has not been identified, to an Indianapolis hospital. Three other passengers in the minivan, whose names have not been released, were taken to local hospitals. The driver of the Peterbilt was not injured.

The names of other people involved in the crash were not shared publicly.

The Indiana State Police Crash Reconstruction Team is assisting the Kokomo Police Department and the coroner’s office with the investigation.

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