Elkhart County, IN (February 20, 2026) – Authorities have identified 7-year-old Derek Bontrager and 8-year-old Jenna Miller as the two children killed in a crash involving a pickup truck and a pony-drawn cart in Elkhart County.
Incident Details: According to police, the crash occurred on February 20, 2026, in the morning on State Road 4, just west of County Road 37. A 40-year-old man was driving a pickup truck westbound when he struck the rear of a westbound pony-drawn cart carrying four children. Bontrager and Miller were pronounced dead at the scene. The pony pulling the cart also died in the collision.
Two other children, ages 11 and 13, were transported to the hospital with serious injuries. Authorities have not released an update on their condition. Police confirmed that the pickup truck driver remained at the scene and cooperated with investigators. Toxicology reports are pending, and no arrests have been made at this time.
Investigation: The crash remains under active investigation. Authorities will likely examine:
- Following distance and speed—Whether the pickup truck driver was traveling too fast or following too closely for roadway conditions.
- Driver attentiveness—Whether distraction, fatigue, or impairment contributed to the rear-end collision.
- Visibility conditions—The lighting, road design, and whether the pony-drawn cart was properly visible to approaching traffic.
- Toxicology results—Pending reports that may clarify whether drugs or alcohol played a role.
- Vehicle data and physical evidence—Skid marks, impact damage, and electronic data to reconstruct the moments before the crash.
These findings will help determine whether negligence or criminal conduct contributed to the tragic collision.
Legal Considerations: Rear-end crashes often raise questions about whether the following driver maintained a safe distance and exercised reasonable care. Under Indiana law, motorists must operate their vehicles safely and remain attentive to traffic ahead, including slower-moving vehicles such as animal-drawn carts.
If investigators determine that the pickup truck driver failed to maintain proper control, was distracted, or was impaired, civil liability may apply.
The families of Derek Bontrager and Jenna Miller may have grounds to pursue wrongful death claims seeking compensation for funeral expenses and the immeasurable loss of their children. The injured children may also have personal injury claims to recover medical expenses and other damages.
My deepest condolences go out to the families of Derek Bontrager and Jenna Miller during this unimaginable loss. I also wish the injured children strength and a full recovery as they continue to heal.
Source: WNDU