Investigation determines driver was speeding when she hit UTV, killing passenger
Dec 13, 2024
ANGOLA, Ind. (WANE) Police have made an arrest following their investigation of a crash on September 1, 2024 that killed a woman and critically hurt a man after the UTV they were riding in was hit by an SUV in Steuben County.
Mary A. Ridenour, 60, of Rome City, faces a felony charge of reckless homicide according to a news release from the Steuben County Sheriff's Department. She was taken into custody Thursday.
The crash took place near the intersection of county roads 100 S and 1000 W in Jackson Township.
The Steuben County Sheriff's Office is investigating a fatal crash involving a UTV that happened Sunday, Sept. 1, 2024. (Photo provided by the Steuben County Sheriff's Office)
Investigators initially determined that the UTV driven by 73-year-old Denny K. Northup was heading east on County Road 100 S before it made a U-turn in a private driveway.
As Northup backed out of the driveway, a Chevrolet Equinox driven by Ridenour drove over a small hill near the driveway while heading west on County Road 100 S. Ridenour attempted to swerve and avoid a collision but was unable to do so, which caused her vehicle to crash into the back of the UTV, according to the Steuben County Sheriff’s Office.
The crash caused the UTV to overturn and eject Northup and his wife, identified as 71-year-old Carol Northup, from the vehicle.
The Northups were both flown to a Fort Wayne hospital in critical condition, and Carol — who suffered an apparent head injury — later died from her injuries, according to the Steuben County Sheriff’s Office. Medics treated Ridenour at the scene for minor injuries.
Data from Ridenour's SUV indicated that five seconds before the airbags were deployed, the vehicle was going 82 miles an hour. The speed limit on that stretch of road is 50 miles an hour. A half second before the air bags went off, the SUV was going 57 miles an hour.
Investigators also evaluated what Ridenour's line of vision would have been and when she would have been able to see the UTV as the SUV crested the hill and how long it would have taken to stop the vehicle in time to avoid the collision. They found no evidence that Ridenour tried to brake before the crash. It was determined that had Ridenour been traveling the speed limit she would have had plenty of time to come to a complete stop to avoid hitting the UTV.
Ridenour is being held without bond pending her initial appearance in court.