DAVIESS COUNTY, Ind.— 28-year-old Israel Waggoner of Washington, Indiana, was killed Thursday night after a side-by-side utility vehicle driven by 31-year-old Miranda Knepp of Washington rolled over on a rural Daviess County roadway. Following the crash, authorities alleged that Knepp’s blood alcohol concentration measured 0.12%, and she was taken into custody on a preliminary charge of Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated Causing Death, according to the Daviess County Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies were dispatched at approximately 10:37 p.m. on June 18 after Daviess County Central Dispatch received a report of a rollover crash involving a side-by-side vehicle on County Road 450 South, west of County Road 50 West. The caller reported that one person was trapped beneath the overturned vehicle, prompting an immediate response from emergency personnel.
According to investigators, Miranda Knepp was driving a white Polaris side-by-side westbound on County Road 450 South when she reportedly swerved to avoid an oncoming vehicle. Authorities said the maneuver caused the vehicle to leave the roadway, overturn onto its passenger side, slide several yards, and come to rest off the south side of the road.
Israel Waggoner, who was riding in the front passenger seat, suffered fatal injuries in the crash. Despite the efforts of first responders, she was pronounced dead at the scene. Her death has left family members, friends, and the Washington community mourning the loss of a young woman whose life ended far too soon.
The Daviess County Sheriff’s Office reported that neither Knepp nor Waggoner was wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash, a factor that remains part of the ongoing investigation.
As part of the investigation, Knepp submitted to a chemical test that allegedly indicated a blood alcohol concentration of 0.12%, exceeding Indiana’s legal limit of 0.08%. Following the investigation, she was taken into custody and lodged in the Daviess County Security Center on a preliminary charge of Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated Causing Death. The charge is an allegation, and Knepp is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
Investigators continue to examine the circumstances surrounding the fatal rollover, including the events leading up to the crash and any additional contributing factors. Authorities have not released further details as the investigation remains active.
The tragic loss of Israel Waggoner has deeply impacted those who knew her, serving as a heartbreaking reminder of the importance of safe driving and responsible decisions behind the wheel. As loved ones grieve her passing, they continue to remember her life while awaiting the outcome of the ongoing investigation.
The Daviess County Sheriff’s Office has stated that the investigation remains ongoing, and additional information may be released as it becomes available.
