MUNCIE, Ind. — One woman died and others were critically injured in a high-speed Muncie crash Tuesday involving a 14-year-old driver who had other children in the car with them.
The crash was reported shortly before noon Oct. 8 at the intersection of South Madison and East 18th streets.
Police said the 14-year-old driver stole a car prior to the crash. Detectives said the teen also assaulted someone before stealing their car.
The teen now faces preliminary charges of robbery, auto theft, robbery, strangulation and criminal recklessness resulting in catastrophic injury.
(NOTE: 13News does not name suspects until formal charges are filed by prosecutors. Also, minors are not named in the state of Indiana unless they are being charged as adults.)
A Muncie Police Department spokesperson said the stolen car was traveling north on Madison Street at a "high rate of speed" when it crashed into a car traveling west on 18th Street.
The westbound car was driven by a 52-year-old woman, later identified as Meisa Cope, who was taken to a local hospital in critical condition. Delaware County Coroner Gavin Greene confirmed she died from her injuries just before 2 a.m. Oct. 10.
The northbound car was driven by a 14-year-old boy, and an 18-year-old woman and two girls – ages 14 and 10 – were also in the car. Those four had injuries "ranging from critical to minor," the spokesperson said.
Police said an investigation into the crash remains ongoing, and anyone with additional information is asked to contact the Muncie Police Department Detective Division at 765-747-4867 or police dispatch at 765-747-4838.