A quiet Tuesday afternoon in rural Indiana shattered into tragedy as a devastating multi-vehicle collision claimed four lives. The crash, occurring near the intersection of State Road 67 and County Road 550 East in Jay County, involved a semi-truck and a passenger van, leaving a community reeling from the sudden loss.
The driver of one of the semi-trucks, identified as 30-year-old Bekzhan Beishekeev, is now in the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. An immigration detainer was placed on him following the accident, highlighting a complex layer to the unfolding investigation.
Investigators determined that Beishekeev, driving a 2022 Freightliner, failed to slow for traffic and abruptly swerved into the opposite lane. This reckless maneuver resulted in a head-on collision with a 2011 Chevrolet van driven by Donald Stipp, 55, of Portland.
The van’s occupants – Henry Eicher, 50; Menno Eicher, 25; Paul Eicher, 19; and Simon Girod, 23, all from Bryant, Indiana – tragically perished at the scene. Reports indicate the victims were members of the Amish community, deepening the sense of sorrow and loss.
Authorities revealed Beishekeev is a citizen of Kyrgyzstan who entered the United States in December 2023 through the CBP One cell phone app at the Nogales, Arizona port of entry. He was subsequently released into the country under parole by the current administration.
The investigation is being conducted by a multi-agency team, including the Indiana State Police Critical Incident Reconstruction Team, the Commercial Vehicle Division, the Jay County Sheriff’s Department, and the Jay County Coroner’s Office. Every detail is being meticulously examined to understand the full scope of the incident.
Donald Stipp, the driver of the van, underwent surgery for a broken arm and is currently listed in stable condition. Initial reports indicated he was unconscious following the crash, but his condition has since improved.
The incident has sparked intense scrutiny regarding the vetting process for commercial driver’s licenses and the implications of releasing individuals into the country who may not be fully familiar with local laws and customs. The weight of this tragedy extends far beyond the immediate families affected.
ICE officials confirmed their cooperation with local authorities, swiftly taking Beishekeev into custody upon notification of the immigration detainer. He will remain in ICE custody as immigration proceedings commence, awaiting a resolution to this heartbreaking case.
