Vicki Lynn Simmons
(Photo provided)

The driver of a deadly car crash Saturday morning near Milford has been arrested, along with another individual, by deputies with the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Department (see related).

According to a statement provided by Sgt. Chad Hill, public information officer with KCSD, officers and emergency personnel responded to the single-vehicle crash that occurred west of Milford along CR 1350N near CR 300W at approximately 12:09 a.m. Saturday.

Deputies and emergency personnel arrived on scene to find a 2007 Nissan, 350 Z, engulfed in flames, located in a field. Hill reports Milford Fire Department subsequently located a charred body in the passenger seat of the vehicle. Though Parkview Samaritan helicopter was summoned to the scene to search the area for the potential driver, no driver was located.

According to Kosciusko County Coroner Michael Wilson, the deceased passenger was identified as Kami L. Ellis, 27, Nappanee, at the Northeast Indiana Forensic Center, Fort Wayne, on Sunday during an autopsy. Ellis was determined to have died from blunt, force trauma as a result of the vehicular crash.

Kami Ellis, 27, of Nappanee tragically perished in the accident Saturday morning near Milford. (Photo by Deb Patterson)

Hill notes that as the investigation progressed, it was determined that the driver had fled the area and had been retrieved in Milford by another individual. At approximately 5:48 a.m., Warsaw City Police located the driver of the fatality accident, identified as Scott L. Wilkins, 36, Milford, along with an assisting individual, identified as Vicki Lynn Simmons, 61, Milford, at the Warsaw Holiday Inn Express hotel. Wilkins requested medical attention from the original fatal crash, and was transported to Kosciusko Community Hospital. Wilkins was later transferred to Lutheran Hospital, Fort Wayne, as a result of his multiple injuries. Kosciusko County F.A.C.T. investigators and the Kosciusko County Prosecutor’s Office stated that charges against Wilkins are currently pending.

Vicky Simmons was subsequently arrested at the hotel Saturday morning and transported to the Kosciusko County Jail. She was preliminarily charged with felony aiding/causing/inducing. Simmons’ was bond was set at $2,000.

According to Hill, Kosciusko County FACT/crash investigators preliminarily determined that the fatality vehicle had been eastbound onCR 1350 North at high rate of speed. Wilkins advised officers that a deer had entered onto the roadway, and he had attempted to swerve to avoid colliding with it. The Nissan began to slide sideway, crossing the roadway, striking a tree and sign, before traveling into the field and catching on fire.