Update: Riverton Parke student-athlete dies in automobile crash

Saturday, February 21, 2026 at 3:42 PM

By Paul Gable

The Riverton Parke Schools community is mourning the loss of one of its own following a fatal automobile accident Friday morning.

Chase Bennett, a 17-year-old junior football and baseball player at Riverton Parke High School, was traveling east on State Road 163 west of Lyford when he crossed the center line, ran off the north side of the road and struck trees. He succumbed to his injuries. A cause for the accident has not been disclosed.

In a release, the Southwest Parke Community School Corporation expressed sadness in the wake of the events.

"The Southwest Parke Community School Corporation and Riverton Parke High School are saddened by the accident today involving one of our students. Counselors from the corporation, North Central Parke, and Hamilton Center are available at RPHS to help students and staff process all that has taken place. We will continue to provide support as needed throughout this process. Our thoughts and prayers are with those nearest to the situation," the statement read.

All Riverton Parke Junior-Senior High School events scheduled for Friday, Saturday, and the weekend are canceled as well.

Superintendent Dr. Phil Harrison told The Parke County Post he and the entire district are "absolutely heartbroken" by the events on Friday.

"We greatly appreciate the support that we have received from the counselors within our corporation, the North Central Parke counselors, and the counseling team from Hamilton Center. We will continue to offer support to our students and staff and those closest to the situation throughout the days and weeks ahead," Harrison told The Parke County Post.

Harrison confirmed as of Friday afternoon, school will still be scheduled for Monday.

"We will continue to evaluate as things develop," he said.

Lyford Fire, Parke County EMS and Clinton Police assisted Parke County deputies at the scene.