Peru woman killed, multiple injuries in Saturday crash

Saturday, October 4, 2025 at 3:25 PM

By Staff report

A Peru woman was killed in a Saturday morning crash.

Officers from the Indiana State Police Peru Post, the Miami County Sheriff’s Office, and the Peru City Police Department responded just after 10:30 a.m. to a crash involving injuries on Meridian Road near East County Road 500 North, which resulted in the death of a woman from Peru.

The preliminary investigation revealed that Jennifer K. Workman, 53, of Peru, was driving a 2020 Chevrolet Blazer northbound on Meridian Road. Also in the Blazer was a passenger, identified as Tiffany D. Baker, 32, of Peru. While attempting to pass another vehicle, the Blazer collided with a 2018 Chevrolet Equinox driven by Neal W. Birner, 62, also from Peru. The Equinox had two passengers: Eclista M. Birner, 89, and Michael V. Birner, 68, both from Peru.

Eclista Birner was pronounced deceased at the crash scene by the Miami County Coroner’s Office. Workman and Michael Birner were transported by Lutheran Air to area hospitals for serious injuries. Neal Birner and Baker were transported by ambulance to local hospitals for non-life threatening injuries.

This is an ongoing investigation. At this time, there are no indications that alcohol or narcotics contributed to the crash.

Master Trooper Coffee was assisted by members of the Indiana State Police Peru Post, the Miami County Sheriff’s Office, the Peru City Police Department, the Denver Volunteer Fire Department, the Mexico Volunteer Fire Department, Miami County EMA, Lutheran EMS, Fulton County EMS, Lutheran Air, and the Miami County Coroner’s Office.