Dearborn County, IN (September 22, 2026) – A 19-year-old Muncie man was killed after being ejected from a pickup truck in a two-vehicle crash on State Road 350 near Aurora, according to Indiana State Police.
Troopers with the Indiana State Police Versailles District said the crash happened shortly after 6 a.m. on the morning of September 22 in the 8900 block of East State Road 350.
Investigators said a 2003 Chevrolet truck driven by Trent J. Laudermilt, 19, of Muncie, was traveling eastbound when it struck a disabled, unoccupied 2008 Chevrolet truck parked along the roadway. After the collision, Laudermilt’s truck hit a guardrail and went down an embankment.
Police said Laudermilt’s passenger, Jeffrey Cole, 19, also of Muncie, was ejected during the crash. Cole suffered fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene by the Dearborn County Coroner’s Office.
Laudermilt was taken to an area hospital with injuries that were not believed to be life-threatening.
Investigators said neither Laudermilt nor Cole were properly restrained at the time of the crash. Toxicology results for Laudermilt are pending, and the crash remains under investigation.
State Road 350 was closed for more than four hours for the crash investigation and cleanup.
This is a developing story. Details may change as the investigation continues.
Fatal Car Accidents in Indiana
When a crash like this happens, evidence tied to the vehicles involved does not stay available forever.
- Who may be liable: the other driver, depending on the toxicology results, and potentially the owner or operator responsible for the disabled truck left along the roadway
- What investigators examine: skid marks and vehicle debris, whether the disabled truck displayed hazard lights or warning devices, roadway visibility at the time, and the toxicology findings
- Because fault has not been determined, Indiana’s modified comparative fault rule matters: a family can still recover compensation as long as the person who died was less than 51% at fault
- Wrongful death claims in Indiana generally must be filed within two years of the date of death (IC 34-23-1-1), which puts the deadline at September 22, 2028
Contact Our Indiana Car Accident Attorneys
Losing a nineteen-year-old to a highway crash leaves a family with grief no parent should have to carry, along with questions about how the crash happened and whether it could have been prevented.
Our Indiana car accident attorneys have represented families across the state after fatal crashes involving passengers, commercial vehicles, and disabled vehicles left along Indiana roadways.
Evidence like the disabled truck’s maintenance and towing records, along with the toxicology results from this crash, can become harder to obtain the longer a family waits to act.
We work on contingency, so there is no upfront cost and nothing owed unless we recover on your family’s behalf.
Why Indiana families trust Langer & Langer:
- Founded in 1980, serving Indiana families for over 45 years
- 100+ years of combined legal experience
- Recognized by Super Lawyers, Best Lawyers, Indiana Trial Lawyers Association, and the American College of Trial Lawyers
