The Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office is investigating two separate fatal crashes that occurred Wednesday evening in different parts of the county.

The first crash happened around 6:40 p.m. on October 22, 2025, in the 25400 block of Gwinn Road. Deputies responding to the scene found a single-vehicle accident involving a white 2023 Toyota RAV4. According to preliminary findings, the vehicle was traveling northbound when it crossed into the southbound lane and struck a tree on the west side of the roadway.

The driver, 16-year-old Elizabeth Achenbach, was the only occupant of the vehicle. She was transported to St. Vincent Hospital in Indianapolis, where she was later pronounced dead.

About three hours later, at approximately 9:29 p.m., deputies were called to another serious crash on U.S. 31 in Westfield. The collision occurred in the 19000 block of the northbound lanes and involved a Chevrolet Cruze and a Dodge Ram.

Investigators said the Chevrolet Cruze was traveling southbound on U.S. 31 near 191st Street when it crossed the median and began traveling the wrong direction in the northbound lanes. As it approached the 191st Street off-ramp, the Cruze collided head-on with the Dodge Ram.

Both vehicles sustained severe damage. The driver of the Chevrolet Cruze, identified as Edward Johnson, 62, of Sheridan, was pronounced dead at the scene by the Hamilton County Coroner’s Office. The occupants of the Dodge Ram suffered minor injuries and were treated at the scene.

The Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office Crash Reconstruction Team is investigating both incidents.