A devastating two-vehicle collision at a rural Howard County intersection Friday night claimed the life of a 59-year-old Kokomo woman and left multiple people trapped in overturned vehicles. Angela Dawn Murdock was pronounced dead at the scene following the crash that occurred around 10:53 p.m. at the intersection of County Roads 600 East and 100 South. According to the Howard County Sheriff's Office, the fatal accident involved a white 2019 Jeep Compass traveling westbound on County Road 100 South and a 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee heading southbound on County Road 600 East. The collision occurred when the Grand Cherokee's 25-year-old driver from Kokomo failed to stop at the intersection and struck the Compass on its passenger side, where Murdock was seated. Both vehicles rolled over in the impact, trapping multiple occupants inside. Emergency responders worked to extract the victims from the overturned SUVs. Sheriff's deputies suspect alcohol was a contributing factor in the crash, though no arrests have been announced as the investigation continues under Sergeant Chris Cramer's supervision.

Location and Infrastructure

The intersection of County Roads 600 East and 100 South represents a typical rural crossroads in Howard County, where agricultural areas meet residential communities on the outskirts of Kokomo. This intersection connects local traffic traveling between rural properties and provides access to state highways for commuters. Rural intersections like this one often present unique challenges for drivers, including limited lighting, fewer traffic control devices, and sight distance restrictions due to terrain or vegetation. The area serves both local residents and through traffic navigating between Howard County communities. County Road 600 East runs north-south through this part of Howard County, while County Road 100 South provides east-west connectivity. The intersection's location in a less densely populated area means emergency response times may be longer than in urban settings, making intersection safety particularly critical for preventing severe outcomes when accidents do occur.

Legal Rights and Considerations

Under Indiana law, drivers who fail to yield the right-of-way at intersections may face serious criminal charges, particularly when alcohol is involved and fatalities result. Indiana Code governs traffic violations, including driving under the influence and failure to stop at intersections. Families of fatal accident victims may pursue wrongful death claims under Indiana's survival statute, which allows recovery for medical expenses, funeral costs, lost earnings, and loss of companionship. The state's comparative fault system means compensation may be reduced if the deceased party bore any responsibility for the accident. Indiana requires all drivers to carry minimum liability insurance coverage, though uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage becomes crucial when dealing with impaired drivers. Legal actions must typically be filed within two years of the incident under Indiana's statute of limitations for personal injury and wrongful death claims. Given the suspected alcohol involvement, criminal charges could include operating while intoxicated causing death, a serious felony under Indiana law.

Related Resources

Emergency Services:

• Howard County Sheriff's Office: (765) 456-2020
• Howard County Emergency Management Agency
• Howard Community Hospital Emergency Department

Traffic Safety Resources:

• Indiana Criminal Justice Institute Traffic Safety Division
• Indiana Department of Transportation Highway Safety Program
• Howard County Highway Department

Support Services:

• Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) Indiana Chapter
• Indiana Victim Assistance Network
• Howard County Victim Services
• Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles Safety Education Programs

Legal Information:

• Indiana Code Title 9 (Motor Vehicles)
• Indiana State Police Crash Records
• Indiana Department of Insurance Consumer Services
• Indiana State Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service

For additional information about this ongoing investigation, contact Sergeant Chris Cramer at (765) 456-2020.