Crime & Safety
Indiana Fall Driving Warning After Crash Kills 20-Year-Old Swerving for Animal
HOWARD COUNTY, IN — A 20 year old Indiana woman is dead after a driver reportedly lost control while attempting to avoid an animal in the roadway, a tragic crash that highlights the dangers motorists
By Miles Carter · 2026-10-14T15:19:45.975Z
HOWARD COUNTY, IN — A 20 year old Indiana woman is dead after a driver reportedly lost control while attempting to avoid an animal in the roadway, a tragic crash that highlights the dangers motorists face as earlier sunsets and increased deer activity create seasonal hazards across the state.
According to the Howard County Sheriff 's Office, Hope Justice Jones, 20, of Kokomo, died following a single vehicle crash early Sunday, Oct. 11, on County Road 1350 East, north of County Road 500 North.
Deputies responded around 12:29 a.m. and discovered a black Honda Civic in a nearby field. Jones, who was reportedly seated in the rear passenger seat, had been ejected from the vehicle.
Emergency personnel provided assistance and requested a medical helicopter, but Jones was pronounced dead at the scene.
The driver, identified as Morgan Killebrew, 21, told investigators he was traveling south when an animal entered the roadway. He reported losing control after the vehicle's passenger side tires left the pavement.
Preliminary reconstruction findings indicate the Honda traveled through a grassy ditch, struck a utility pole, rotated and hit a telephone utility box before coming to rest in the field.
The investigation remains ongoing, and authorities have not established that the reported animal encounter was the definitive cause of the crash.
The tragedy comes during a particularly dangerous season for Indiana motorists.
As autumn progresses, sunsets arrive earlier, placing more drivers on darkened roads during evening commutes. Deer also become increasingly active during their fall breeding season, particularly around dawn and dusk.
Wildlife can enter roadways unexpectedly, especially along rural highways and roads bordered by fields or wooded areas.
Traffic safety guidance generally recommends braking firmly, maintaining control and avoiding sudden swerves when an animal appears in the roadway, provided doing so is safe. Abrupt steering can cause vehicles to leave the pavement or strike roadside objects.
The Sheriff's Office reported that Killebrew cooperated with investigators and registered 0.00 on a preliminary breath test. Additional blood testing was conducted.
The Howard County Coroner's Office is investigating Jones' cause and manner of death.
Anyone with information about the crash can contact Deputy Nicholas Begley at 765 614 3410 .