News Release

WABASH — A Wabash man is seriously injured after a car crash in Miami County.

Around 3:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 14, officers from the Indiana State Police, the Miami County Sheriff’s Office, and the Peru Police Department responded to an injury-involved crash on US 31 near Sease Drive. Officers arrived within minutes to locate one of the drivers with serious injuries after being ejected from a vehicle.

Preliminary investigation indicates that a black 2010 Audi passenger car driven by Joshua Wallace, 35, of Wabash, was traveling northbound on US 31 near Sease Drive. For an undetermined reason, the Audi rear-ended a 2021 Ram 2500 driven by Chad Jenkins, 46, Uniondale. The collision caused the Audi to travel off the roadway and flip multiple times before coming to a rest.

Jenkins sustained minor injuries and submitted to a chemical test as required by Indiana statute for drivers involved in serious bodily injury and fatal crashes. Wallace was flown by air ambulance to an area hospital with serious injuries.

This is an ongoing investigation. At this time, neither the consumption of alcoholic beverages nor narcotics are suspected of contributing to this crash. Evidence gathered at the scene indicates that both drivers were not wearing seatbelts at the time of the crash. Further evidence indicates excessive speed to be a contributing factor to this crash.

The Indiana State Police was assisted by the Miami County Sheriff’s Office, Peru Police Department, Duke’s EMS, Peru Fire Department, Miami County EMA and Lutheran Air Ambulance.