INDIANAPOLIS — An Indianapolis woman faces six felony counts—including reckless homicide and operating a vehicle while intoxicated causing death—after allegedly driving more than twice the speed limit and crashing head-on into an eight-month pregnant woman on the city’s east side.
Court documents reveal that 31-year-old Latonya Berry was driving a Jeep SUV at 94 mph in a 40 mph zone on East 38th Street near North Post Road when the collision occurred. Investigators say Berry’s blood alcohol concentration registered at 0.284%—more than three times the legal limit—alongside testing positive for cannabinoids.
The crash occurred on Wednesday, November 26, when the victim, Kyra Johnson, was stopped in the center turn lane facing west, waiting to turn into a business parking lot where her mother works.
According to the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department (IMPD) and witness statements, Berry’s eastbound Jeep was traveling erratically, swerving between lanes, before veering directly into the center turn lane and hitting Johnson’s Ford Taurus head-on. The force of the impact pushed Johnson’s vehicle over 100 feet down the road and caused Berry’s SUV to spin and flip onto its roof.
Johnson, who was eight months pregnant at the time, suffered extensive traumatic injuries, including a fractured femur, a fractured sternum, broken ribs, wrist fractures, and severe facial lacerations.
She was rushed to a local hospital, where doctors performed an emergency C-section. Her newborn son, Kye Johnson, survived for three weeks in intensive care before passing away on December 17.
Criminal Charges and Civil Action
Following a multi-month investigation that involved executing search warrants for the Jeep’s Airbag Control Module (ACM) data and Berry’s medical records, prosecutors filed a suite of felony charges against Berry:
| Charge Level | Offense |
|---|---|
| Level 4 Felony | Causing Death When Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated |
| Level 4 Felony | Causing Death When Operating a Vehicle with an ACE of .08 or More |
| Level 5 Felony | Reckless Homicide |
| Level 5 Felony | Causing Serious Bodily Injury While Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated |
| Level 5 Felony | Causing Serious Bodily Injury When Operating a Vehicle with an ACE of .08 or More |
| Level 6 Felony | Criminal Recklessness Committed with a Deadly Weapon |
In addition to the state’s criminal prosecution, the victim’s family has filed a civil lawsuit against Berry seeking damages for the wrongful death of the infant and long-term medical care for Johnson.
