The Milford community is grieving the tragic loss of 19-year-old Sarah Mischke, who died Thursday morning in a devastating two-vehicle crash north of Waubee Road in Kosciusko County.
According to the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Office, the collision occurred at 11:31 a.m. on State Road 15, when Sarah’s Hyundai Accent and a Chevy Silverado, driven by 68-year-old Dale E. Wert of Goshen, crashed head-on. The impact was severe, and despite the immediate response from deputies, firefighters, EMS crews, and the county coroner, Sarah suffered fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene by Kosciusko County Coroner Tyler Huffer.
Wert was transported by Lutheran EMS to Lutheran Hospital in Fort Wayne in critical condition, where he later died from his injuries. The cause of the crash remains under investigation by the Kosciusko County FACT Team.
Mourning the Loss of a Beloved Young Woman
Sarah’s passing has left her family, friends, and the town of Milford in profound sorrow. At just 19 years old, she was a young woman filled with hope, compassion, and potential—a life still unfolding, taken far too soon.
Those who knew her describe Sarah as someone who radiated warmth and sincerity. She had a gentle spirit and a heart that cared deeply for others. Her smile could brighten a room, and her kindness left lasting impressions on everyone fortunate enough to cross her path. She dreamed of building a future filled with purpose, love, and connection—dreams now held tenderly in the memories of those who loved her.
The suddenness of her loss has left an ache words can barely contain. One moment she was simply driving along a familiar road; the next, a tragic collision forever altered the lives of two families and an entire community.
Emergency crews from Milford Police and Fire Departments, Plain Township Fire Department, Lutheran EMS, and other agencies worked with urgency and care, but the impact of the crash left no opportunity for recovery.
Forever Loved, Forever Missed
As investigators continue to piece together what happened in those final moments, Sarah’s family and community are holding tightly to the moments she shared with them—the laughter, the acts of kindness, the quiet presence that made life brighter.
Her loss is immeasurable, and her memory will live on in every heart she touched.
May Sarah’s light continue to guide those who mourn her, and may her loved ones find comfort in the love she leaves behind.
