Miami County- Today at approximately 3:53 p.m, units from the Peru State Police Post were advised of a semi verses car crash on US 31 southbound just south of Business 31 near Peru, IN.

Preliminary investigation by Trooper Michael Lorona has a white 2001 Volvo pulling a box trailer driven by Matthew A. Bryan, 35 years old from Evansville, IN going southbound from the traffic light that had just turned green.  A yellow 2001 Ford Escape driven by Elizabeth Mari Anne Hoffer, 22 years old from Plymouth, IN was traveling southbound in the right lane and failed to slow for the semi and ran into the rear of the trailer.  Both the driver of the Ford Escape and her passenger Brandon L. Howard 29 years old from South Bend, IN were life lined by Lutheran Air Helicopter and Samaritan II Helicopter to Lutheran Hospital in Ft. Wayne, IN.  Howard had to be extricated from the vehicle. Both driver and passenger sustained serious injuries.  The driver of the semi, Bryan was not injured.

It is unknown at this time if Hoffer or Howard had their seatbelts on.  Bryan was wearing his seatbelt at the time of the crash.  US 31 was closed approximately two hours for safety equipment and cleanup. No traffic citations have been issued at this time.  The investigation is continuing.

Assisting at the scene were Indiana State Troopers Chuck Meyers and Sergeant T.J. Zeiser, Indiana State Police Motor Carrier Division, Miami County Sheriff’s Department, Peru Fire Department and the Pipe Creek Fire Department.

All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.