Jay County, IN – (2-4-26) The Indiana State Police is investigating a multi-vehicle crash that resulted in the death of 3 people.

Today, February 3, 2026, before 4:00pm the Indiana State Police were called to the area of State Road 67 and County Road 550 East in Jay County to assist the Jay County Sheriff’s Department with a crash.

The investigation shows that a 2019 International semi tractor trailer, driven by Gert Pretoruis (44) of Geneva, was traveling east on State Road 67 near County Road 550 East when it slowed down for traffic. A 2022 Freightliner semi tractor trailer, driven by Bekzhan Beishekeev (30) of Philadelphia, PA, that was also eastbound did not stop and swerved into the westbound lane hitting a 2011 Chevrolet van that was driven by Donald Stipp (55) of Portland. The Jay County Coroner’s Office has identified Henry Eicher (50) of Bryant, Menno Eicher (25) of Bryant, Paul Eicher (19) of Bryant, and Simon Girod (23) of Bryant as the four people who were killed in the crash. The Indiana State Police Critical Incident Reconstruction Team is working with the Indiana State Police Commercial Vehicle Division, Jay County Sheriff’s Department, and Jay County Coroner’s Office to complete this investigation..

At this time there is no more information available, as we are waiting for the identifications to be confirmed by the Jay County Coroner and for families of the deceased to be notified. As soon as more information is available, this release will be updated.