WESTVILLE, LaPorte County, Ind., Oct. 1, 2026 — A second person has died from injuries suffered in a head-on crash late last month on State Road 2 in LaPorte County, according to the LaPorte County Sheriff's Office. An 88-year-old Francesville man died on Tuesday, September 29, four days after the September 25 crash.
The sheriff's office said the crash happened just before 1:30 p.m. on State Road 2, east of County Road 900 West. A witness told investigators a Kia was traveling west behind a FedEx truck when its driver crossed the center line and struck an eastbound Ford head-on.
The Ford's driver, 36-year-old Kayla Roche of La Porte, was taken to a hospital, where she later died. The Kia's driver, a 60-year-old Medaryville man, and his passenger, the 88-year-old Francesville man who has since died, were also hospitalized with injuries from the crash.
The sheriff's office said the crash remains under investigation. No further details on the cause have been released.
Our sympathies are with the families of everyone who lost their lives.
How Investigators Piece Together a Head-On Crash
A head-on crash investigation usually starts with measurements and photos taken at the scene: skid marks, debris fields, final resting positions of the vehicles. Investigators use this physical evidence, along with any witness statements, to reconstruct the sequence of events, including how and why a vehicle may have crossed into oncoming traffic.
When a crash proves fatal, agencies typically hold back the names of those killed until relatives have been notified in person, which can take hours or longer depending on where family members live. That is also why updates on a case, such as a second death following an initial crash, usually arrive days or weeks after the original incident.
A full report can take weeks to finish because it may depend on lab results, including toxicology screening, medical records from treating hospitals, and sometimes a mechanical inspection of the vehicles involved. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 40,901 people were killed in motor-vehicle traffic crashes in 2023. Investigators generally will not confirm a cause until that full file is complete.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does speed make a head-on crash more survivable or less?
Yes. Crash severity rises sharply with speed because the energy released in a collision increases with the square of velocity. Even a modest reduction in speed can mean the difference between survivable and fatal injuries in a head-on impact.
Why does wearing a seat belt matter so much in this type of crash?
In a head-on collision, unbelted occupants are thrown forward into the steering wheel, dashboard, or windshield, or out of the vehicle entirely. Seat belts keep occupants in place and spread crash forces across stronger parts of the body, cutting the risk of fatal injury roughly in half in many crash types.
What should a family do after learning a loved one died in a crash?
Families can request a copy of the official crash report from the investigating agency once it's released, and can ask that agency about the timeline for any toxicology or lab results. Keeping a record of who was contacted and when can help later if questions come up about the investigation.
How do police determine what caused a fatal crash?
Investigators combine scene evidence, such as skid marks and vehicle damage, with witness accounts, data pulled from vehicle systems where available, and lab results to determine how a crash happened. That process is why initial reports sometimes change as more information comes in.
What to Do After a Head-On Crash in Westville, Indiana
If you're involved in or witness a head-on crash, call 911 immediately and stay clear of traffic if it's safe to do so. Even if you feel fine, seek a medical evaluation afterward, since injuries from a head-on impact aren't always obvious right away.
If you've lost someone in a crash like this, give yourself time before trying to track down every detail. Investigators will typically reach out to next of kin directly once findings are ready to share, and a formal crash report can usually be requested from the local sheriff's office or state police once the file is closed. Leaning on family, friends, or local support services in Westville during this stretch is reasonable and expected.
