Amanda Wertman Obituary, Pike County, Indiana, Death: Mother and 8-Year-Old Daughter Michaela Killed in Crash Following Police Pursuit

The Pike County, Indiana, community is mourning Amanda Wertman, 41, of Winslow, and her 8-year-old daughter, Michaela Wertman, who died following a devastating crash on State Road 64 on Saturday evening, August 29, 2026. The collision occurred after a vehicle believed to be connected to a domestic violence incident fled from police.

According to Indiana State Police, a Pike County sheriff’s deputy was responding to a domestic violence call near the Country Junction gas station when a red Toyota Camry reportedly left the area. Investigators said the vehicle forced another motorist off the roadway, failed to stop at a flashing red light and later crossed into the deputy’s lane, prompting a pursuit.

Authorities said the Camry eventually crossed the centerline near County Road 900 East and collided head-on with a Toyota Sienna driven by Amanda Wertman. Four children were traveling in the Sienna. Amanda died at the scene, while Michaela was transported to a hospital in Louisville, Kentucky, where she later succumbed to her injuries.

The tragedy also left three other children hospitalized. Amanda’s 5-year-old son, Theodore, was among those injured. Reports indicate that the children had been returning from a Girl Scout trip to Holiday World when the crash occurred.

The deaths of Amanda and Michaela have left their family facing an unimaginable loss. Friends, relatives and members of the wider community have rallied around the Wertman family, including through fundraising efforts intended to assist with medical and other expenses following the tragedy.

The Indiana State Police Crash Reconstruction Team is investigating the collision and the events surrounding the pursuit. The identity of the Camry driver has not yet been publicly released in the latest reports.

As investigators work to establish the complete circumstances of the crash, condolences continue to go out to Amanda and Michaela’s family, friends and everyone affected by the devastating loss.