Trooper-involved crash on Toll Road claims lives of Mishawaka couple

STEUBEN COUNTY, Ind. -- A Toll Road crash involving an Indiana State Police Trooper claimed the lives of two Mishawaka residents, according to Indiana State Police.

ISP has begun an investigation into a fatal crash on the Indiana Toll Road near the 147.8 mile marker which happened Tuesday afternoon.

According to ISP around 4 p.m., Trooper Bill and Trooper Regalado on assignment with the ISP Toll Road Post, were heading to a reported vehicle crash in rural LaGrange County to assist the LaGrange County Sheriff’s Department.

Both troopers, in marked ISP cars with sirens activated and emergency lights on, were traveling westbound in the left lane on the Toll Road near the 148 mile marker just before the crash occurred, according to a press release.

Trooper Bill was leading with Regalado behind him, officials say.

A preliminary investigation revealed that Trooper Regalado’s vehicle made an “evasive maneuver” to avoid the slowing traffic, where he swerved towards the right lane and struck the rear end of a white 2006 Ford Freestyle Limited SUV.

The SUV was driven by Terry L. Wentworth, 76, of Mishawaka, Indiana. 74-year-old Gloria J. Wentworth, Terry's wife, was the front seat passenger.

Regalado and Wentworth’s vehicle continued off the roadway to the right where they collided with a guardrail, officials say.

Both vehicles received heavy damage in the collision.

Terry Wentworth was pronounced dead at the scene by the Steuben County Coroner.

Gloria Wentworth received treatment by Steuben County paramedics at the scene.

A Parkview Hospital Samaritan helicopter was called to assist, however, Gloria Wentworth died as a result of her injuries at the scene. She was pronounced deceased by the Steuben County Coroner.

According to the press release, the family’s next of kin has been notified.

Trooper Regalado was taken to Fort Wayne’s Lutheran Hospital by ambulance with non-life threatening wounds.

Crash reconstructionists from ISP’s Fort Wayne Post are assisting with the ongoing fatal crash investigation.

Following the results of the investigation, a full report will be turned over to the Steuben County Prosecutor’s Office, according to ISP.

Troopers from the Fort Wayne Toll Road posts, Steuben County Sheriff’s Department, Fremont Police Department, Steuben County Coroner’s Office, Fremont Fire Department and Steuben County EMS assisted at the scene.