KOSCIUSKO COUNTY, Ind. - A 21-year-old Milford man was preliminarily charged with operating while intoxicated after his passenger died in a crash on East Epworth Forrest Road Wednesday morning, according to the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Department.

The single-vehicle crash was reported in the 8600 block just before 3:30 a.m. At the scene, deputies learned 21-year-old Victor Waikel was driving north when, for unknown reasons, he drove off the road and hit a tree.

Ricardo Garcia, 36, of North Webster was pronounced dead at the scene. He was a rear passenger and was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash.

The front seat passenger complained of pain but refused medical treatment at the scene.

Waikel was treated at a nearby hospital before being taken to the Kosciusko County Jail for the OWI charge.