From the Decatur County Sheriff’s Department –
On Wednesday, August 16, 2023, the Decatur County Dispatch Center received multiple
calls advising of a serious, one vehicle crash on County Road 100 South, just east of
County Road 1050 West.
Upon arrival of first responders, the vehicle was located off the south side of the road.
There were two occupants in the vehicle. The driver was later identified as Bearette N.
Messina, 32 years of age, of Columbus, Indiana. Messina was subsequently flown by air
ambulance to an Indianapolis hospital due to the severe extent of his injuries.
The female passenger in the vehicle was later identified as Danielle R. Mills, 34 years of
age, also from Columbus, Indiana. Ms. Mills was pronounced deceased at the scene.
The investigation into the crash is continuing, but one contribution to the crash was
determined to be excessive speed of the vehicle.
The Decatur County Sheriff’s Department was assisted by the Burney Volunteer Fire
Department, Letts Fire/EMS Department, Decatur County EMS, Greensburg Fire
Department, Decatur County Dispatch, the Decatur County Coroner’s Office, the Indiana
State Police and Statflight Air Ambulance.
