Amanda Wertman Obituary, PIKE COUNTY, Ind. — Amanda Wertman, 41, of Winslow, Indiana, and her 8-year-old daughter, Michaela, have died following a fatal head-on crash in Pike County Saturday evening that occurred after a vehicle pursuit involving a Toyota Camry believed to be connected to an active domestic violence incident.
Indiana State Police said the incident began at approximately 7:42 p.m. when a Pike County Sheriff’s Department deputy was traveling westbound on State Road 64 with emergency lights and siren activated while responding to a domestic violence call at the Country Junction gas station near the intersection of State Road 64 and State Road 61.
A red Toyota Camry believed to be involved in the domestic violence incident left the gas station as the deputy approached. Investigators said the deputy observed the vehicle force another motorist off the roadway before continuing eastbound on State Road 64. The Camry was also reportedly seen failing to stop at a flashing red traffic signal at the intersection of State Road 61 and State Road 64.
Authorities said the Camry then crossed into the deputy’s lane and attempted to strike the patrol vehicle. The deputy avoided the collision, turned around and initiated a pursuit. The pursuit continued for a short distance before the Camry reached the area of County Road 900 East.
According to preliminary information, the Camry crossed the centerline of State Road 64 and collided head-on with a Toyota Sienna carrying Wertman and four juveniles. Wertman and the driver of the Camry suffered fatal injuries and were pronounced dead at the scene.
Wertman’s 8-year-old daughter, Michaela, was transported to a hospital in Louisville, Kentucky, where she later died from injuries sustained in the crash. Three other juveniles who were traveling in the Toyota Sienna were also hospitalized following the collision and are expected to recover, according to authorities.
The Pike County Coroner’s Office has not yet released the identity of the Camry driver. Officials said that person’s name will be released at a later time. The Indiana State Police Crash Reconstruction Team is investigating the circumstances surrounding the collision, including the pursuit, the preceding domestic violence call and the events that led to the fatal head-on crash.
The deaths of Amanda Wertman and her young daughter Michaela have left their family and community grieving as investigators continue working to establish the full circumstances of the incident. Their lives will be remembered as authorities complete their investigation and additional information becomes available.