Teen killed in wreck near airport

A Howard County teen died late Wednesday evening in a single-vehicle crash four and a half miles east of Kokomo, Sheriff Marty Talbert reported.

The driver, 19-year-old Kyle W. Beachey, a recent Eastern High School graduate, was pronounced dead at the scene of the 11:10 p.m. crash.

Sheriff deputies said Beachey was driving east on 400 North, just west of 450 East, when his red 1989 Chevrolet Corsica went off the road, sideswiped a sign post, and crashed into a utility pole and a large concrete corner post.

Talbert said the initial impact on the sign was minimal, but the second impact with the concrete post was the fatal blow.

Beachey was wearing a seat belt and had to be extricated from his car by Greentown volunteer firefighters.

Howard County Coroner Brad Bray said Beachey died from a skull fracture and blunt force trauma. Emergency workers from St. Joseph Hospital, Galveston Volunteer Fire Department, and Lifeline Helicopter worked feverishly in an attempt to save Beachey, but the trauma was too severe, Talbert said.

Although rain moved in overnight, it was not a factor in the crash, he added.

Alcohol also was ruled out as a factor in the crash.

Beachey is Howard County’s 13th traffic death this year.

Deputies were assisted at the scene by the Howard County Emergency Management Agency.

The crash remains under investigation by Deputy Steve Kline. Anyone with information can contact Kline at the Howard County Sheriff Department at (765) 457-1105.

Mike Fletcher may be reached at (765) 454-8565 or via e-mail at mike.fletcher@kokomotribune.com