A tragic three-vehicle collision on State Road 25 near County Road 300 S in Cass County, Indiana claimed the life of 89-year-old Doris Blume of Logansport on Thursday afternoon. The incident occurred around 12:45 PM when Blume, driving a Dodge Caravan, attempted to change lanes and was struck by a GMC Sierra driven by Joseph Bierling, 35, of Allegan, Michigan. The Sierra was towing a goose neck trailer loaded with steel plates at the time of impact. The collision caused Blume's vehicle to be struck again by a Sterling dump truck operated by Adam Larimer, 51, of Delphi. Emergency responders arrived quickly at the scene, and Blume was airlifted to Fort Wayne with life-threatening injuries, where she later succumbed to her injuries. The other drivers declined medical treatment at the scene.

Location and Infrastructure

State Road 25 serves as a crucial transportation artery through Cass County, connecting Logansport with surrounding communities. The collision site near County Road 300 S features multiple lanes and guardrails, typical of major state highways in the region. This stretch of SR 25 accommodates both local traffic and commercial vehicles, including heavy trucks carrying industrial materials. The presence of multiple lanes and regular lane-change maneuvers, combined with varying vehicle types and speeds, creates complex traffic patterns that require careful navigation, particularly for vehicles with trailers or heavy loads.

Legal Rights and Considerations

Under Indiana law, accidents resulting in fatality must be thoroughly investigated, and surviving family members may have grounds for wrongful death claims. Indiana's comparative fault system allows recovery of damages as long as a party is less than 51% at fault. The statute of limitations for personal injury or wrongful death claims in Indiana is generally two years from the date of the accident. Potential compensation may include medical expenses, funeral costs, lost future earnings, and loss of companionship. Multiple insurance policies may be involved when commercial vehicles are part of an accident, including commercial liability policies and personal auto insurance.

Related Resources

• Emergency Services:
  • Cass County Sheriff's Office: 574-753-7800
  • Cass County Emergency Medical Services
  • Fort Wayne Medical Center Trauma Unit
• Traffic Safety Resources:
  • Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) Safety Reports
  • Cass County Highway Department
  • Indiana Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance
• Victim Support Services:
  • Indiana Victim Services Division
  • Cass County Victim Assistance Program
  • Indiana Criminal Justice Institute Victim Services
• Legal References:
  • Indiana Code Title 9 (Motor Vehicles)
  • Indiana Crash Report Portal
  • Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles Accident Reporting Guidelines