State Road 15 Kosciusko County Collision Claims Lives of Dale E. Wert and Sarah Mischke
State Road 15, Kosciusko County — Dale E. Wert, 68, was at the center of a devastating crash scene that first responders described as one of the most severe they had witnessed in recent months. When rescue crews arrived Thursday morning just north of Waubee Road, they found twisted metal folded so tightly around his Chevrolet Silverado that it resembled storm debris scattered across the pavement. Wert’s pickup had crossed into oncoming traffic moments earlier, colliding directly with a small Hyundai Accent driven by 19-year-old Sarah Mischke. The impact was so violent that even a third vehicle parked off the shoulder sustained damage from the force of the crash.
The Silverado and Hyundai had both been traveling at regular road-speed when they met head-on, leaving little chance for either driver to react or reduce the severity of the collision. First responders immediately recognized the seriousness of the situation. Mischke’s vehicle had taken the full brunt of the impact, and paramedics discovered she had already passed by the time they reached her. Wert, though critically injured and trapped inside the crushed remains of his vehicle, still showed signs of life.
Crews quickly brought out hydraulic tools to cut through the mangled metal. The extraction took time, with firefighters carefully maneuvering around broken components and sharp edges to keep him stable. Once freed, Wert was transferred to an ambulance and airlifted to Fort Wayne for emergency treatment. Despite the rapid response, he later succumbed to his injuries. The Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Office confirmed the deaths of both drivers and began reviewing every detail surrounding the crash.
One of the most striking elements noted by investigators was the absence of skid marks on the roadway. With weather conditions clear and traffic light at the time of the crash, the lack of braking suggested that neither driver had the opportunity to react—or that something prevented Wert from attempting to avoid the collision. That uncertainty has opened several investigative paths.
Authorities are considering the possibility that distraction, a sudden medical episode, or mechanical failure may have caused Wert’s vehicle to drift across the center line. The truck will undergo mechanical inspection, and investigators are reviewing Wert’s medical history, phone activity, and witness accounts to pinpoint what led to the unexpected crossover. The Hyundai Accent is also being evaluated for evidence patterns that indicate how the impact unfolded second by second.
Despite the violence of the crash, no one else was injured. The driver of the third vehicle damaged in the collision was not inside at the time, avoiding what could have been an even larger tragedy. Deputies have requested that anyone who was traveling along State Road 15 that morning or who may have seen Wert’s pickup moments before impact come forward to share information.
As the investigation continues, the community quietly grieves the loss of two lives at very different chapters of their journeys—Wert, a longtime resident known for his steady presence, and Mischke, a young woman just beginning to build her future. Today, their families and neighbors mourn with solemn respect for the suddenness and weight of this tragedy.