At approximately 1:45 PM, emergency responders from multiple agencies were dispatched to the area of 5370 W 1350 N regarding two children possibly struck by a truck. The initial arriving units located the minors, ages three and five, approximately 300 feet north of CR 1350 N; directly east of 5370 W 1350 N. Located near the children was a 1992 International semi-tractor, with an attached grain trailer.
The preliminary details of the investigation indicate that the tractor/trailer driven by Benjamin Tyler Sheets, 26 years old, of Nappanee began to pull forward after it was loaded with grain. As the tractor/trailer went into motion, the two children, who were presumably underneath the trailer, were struck. The children received fatal injuries and were pronounced deceased at the scene by the Kosciusko County Coroner’s office.
This crash remains under investigation by the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Office Fatal Team.
UPDATE: Kosciusko County Coroner Anthony Ciriello released the names of the children killed in the farming incident Tuesday afternoon. 5 year old Jaylin Hochstetler and his 3 year old brother Kenton Hochstetler died as a result of blunt force trauma from the injuries they received on November 19, 2019.
