Fatal Head-On Crash on State Road 29 in Clinton County, Indiana, Kills Virgil Richardson, 76; Kokomo Driver Quinton Landrum, 28, Arrested on OWI Charges

A 76-year-old Michigantown man died and his passenger was injured in a head-on collision early Sunday morning, September 20, 2026, on State Road 29 in Clinton County, Indiana. According to the Clinton County Sheriff's Office, deputies responded at approximately 5:20 a.m. to the 4500 block of North State Road 29 after an automated crash detection alert and several 911 calls. Investigators say a southbound Chevrolet Cruze driven by Quinton Landrum, 28, of Kokomo, crossed the center line and struck a northbound Toyota Prius. The Prius driver, Virgil Richardson, 76, of Michigantown, died at the scene. His passenger, Tina Richardson, 64, was taken to an Indianapolis hospital and listed in stable condition. Landrum was also treated at an Indianapolis hospital. After his release, he was arrested on preliminary charges of operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated causing death, a Level 4 felony, and reckless homicide, a Level 5 felony. The charges are preliminary, and Landrum is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court. The crash remains under investigation. Our sympathies go out to the Richardson family and everyone affected by this loss.

Location and Infrastructure

State Road 29 is a north-south state highway maintained by the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT). It runs roughly 31 miles from its southern end at U.S. 421 and State Road 28 near Boyleston, north through Michigantown and Burlington, to Logansport. Through Clinton County, the route serves as a rural connector linking small communities with Frankfort, the county seat, and with nearby cities such as Kokomo and Logansport. Like many rural two-lane highways, it has opposing lanes separated only by painted center lines rather than a median or barrier, so a vehicle that drifts across the center line can cause a head-on crash with little warning. Early-morning conditions add further risk, including darkness, limited roadside lighting, and driver fatigue. In late September, drivers on rural Clinton County roads may also meet slow-moving farm equipment during harvest season.

Legal Rights and Considerations

Indiana is an at-fault state, so the driver found responsible for a crash, and that driver's liability insurer, is generally responsible for resulting damages. Indiana requires minimum liability coverage of $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for bodily injury, and $25,000 for property damage. Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage may also apply. Indiana follows a modified comparative fault system, which bars recovery for a party found more than 50 percent at fault. Civil claims are separate from any criminal prosecution. Under Indiana law, personal injury and wrongful death actions generally must be filed within two years. Claims against government entities require a much earlier tort claim notice. Depending on the circumstances, recoverable damages may include medical expenses, lost wages, funeral and burial costs, property damage, and pain and suffering. Indiana's wrongful death statutes set specific rules on damages depending on the decedent's age and dependents.

Related Resources

• Emergency Services: Dial 911 for emergencies. Clinton County Sheriff's Office, 1325 S. Jackson St., Frankfort, IN. Indiana State Police: in.gov/isp
• Traffic Safety and Road Conditions: Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT): in.gov/indot. Indiana Criminal Justice Institute, Traffic Safety Division: in.gov/cji
• Victim Support Services: Indiana Violent Crime Victim Compensation Fund (administered by the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute): in.gov/cji. Clinton County Prosecutor's Office Victim Assistance, Frankfort, IN. MADD Victim Services 24-hour helpline: 1-877-MADD-HELP (1-877-623-3435), madd.org
• State Laws and Regulations: Indiana Code, including Title 9 (Motor Vehicles) and IC 34-23 (Wrongful Death): iga.in.gov. Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles, insurance and driver requirements: in.gov/bmv

A note on the date: WLFI's article, published September 21, 2026, says the crash happened early Sunday, which makes it September 20. However, Fox59 described it as a crash on Saturday, and WISH-TV put the dispatch time at 5:22 a.m. You may want to confirm the date with the Sheriff's Office before publishing. Please also verify the Sheriff's Office street address, since I included it from general knowledge rather than from the news coverage.