Press Release

PERU — A previously unidentified driver from a fatal November crash in Miami County has been positively identified as a woman from Fulton County.

The Miami County Coroner’s Office used DNA testing to identify Candace Girton, 29, Kewanna, as the driver of a 2018 Chevrolet Cruz that was involved in a two-vehicle fatal crash on Nov. 24. Girton died in the accident. Her family has been notified.

At 3:38 p.m. Nov. 24, officers from the Indiana State Police and the Miami County Sheriff’s Department responded to a two-vehicle crash on SR 16, near Miami CR 500W.

A preliminary crash investigation by Senior Trooper Todd Trottier showed that a Chevrolet passenger car, operated by Girton, was traveling west on SR 16 near CR 500W. Ashley Lackmon, 20, Macy, was driving a 2019 Ford Fusion east on SR 16 near CR 500W. For an undetermined reason, Girton’s Chevrolet crossed into the east lane, causing a head-on collision with the Ford. After the crash impact, the Chevrolet caught on fire and had to be extinguished by Denver firefighters.

A nearby homeowner prevented the Ford from catching on fire. Prior to first responders arriving, he used a tow strap and a box truck to pull the Ford away from the burning Chevrolet. Lackmon was initially trapped in the Ford and could not be extricated until first responders arrived.

Girton was pronounced deceased at the scene. Lackmon was flown via medical helicopter to a Fort Wayne hospital.