Three people dead following crash near Peru, Indiana

PERU, Ind. – The Indiana State Police reports that three people have died following a multi-vehicle crash that happened Friday afternoon near Peru, Indiana.

According to Police, 53-year-old Douglas Clinkenbeard of Elwood was driving northbound on State Road 19 when his Ford Explorer crossed over into the southbound lane after Clinkenbeard attempted to correct a driving error.

Clinkenbeard’s vehicle then struck an oncoming Jeep Cherokee diving southbound.

The driver of the Jeep, 31-year-old Nicholas Miller of Peru, was ejected from the vehicle. He was not wearing a seat-belt.

Clinkenbeard and Miller were pronounced deceased at the crash scene.

The passenger of the Jeep, 18-year-old Paige Williamson of Peru, also died at the scene.

Both Clinkenbeard and Williamson were wearing seat-belts, but the impact of the crash was too severe for them to survive.

Police say excessive speed by the Ford is a contributing factor in the crash. The incident is under investigation.