In Loving Memory — Honoring Christopher and Johnny Jankoviak
The Marshall County community is mourning a profound and heartbreaking loss after a fatal crash Saturday morning at the intersection of U.S. 31 and State Road 10. On Monday, the Marshall County Sheriff’s Department released additional details surrounding the tragic collision—details that offer clarity, but also deepen the weight of grief felt by family, friends, and neighbors.
According to Investigating Officer Rob Hafke, the crash occurred around 7:46 a.m. when 55-year-old Eric Eichenberger, a Michigan resident operating a 2024 Freightliner semi, was traveling northbound in the driving lane of U.S. 31. As Eichenberger approached the intersection with State Road 10, he saw a UPS truck cross over the highway heading west. Directly behind that UPS vehicle was a 2022 Chevrolet Equinox driven by 57-year-old Christopher Jankoviak of Michigan. The Equinox slowed due to the traffic ahead.
In those few seconds—moments that now feel unbearably significant—Eichenberger was unable to avoid a collision. The semi struck the driver’s side of the Equinox with devastating force, ultimately coming to rest in the median just north of the intersection. The violent impact forever altered the lives of two families and cast a somber shadow over the community.
Christopher Jankoviak was pronounced dead at the scene, a sudden and heartbreaking loss that no family should ever have to endure. Riding with him was Johnny Jankoviak, whose condition was initially critical. He was airlifted by helicopter to Memorial Hospital in South Bend, where medical teams fought tirelessly to save him. For hours, loved ones prayed, hoped, and held on. But in a tragic update, the GiveSendGo “Shine Brightly” funding page confirmed that Johnny, too, had succumbed to his injuries.
Two lives—deeply connected, deeply loved—gone far too soon.
The loss of Christopher and Johnny is not just a statistic in a report; it is the shattering of routines, the silencing of laughter, the empty chairs at tables, and the ache in the hearts of everyone who knew them. They were more than victims of a crash—they were family men, companions, friends, and human beings whose presence made the world brighter for those they loved. Now, memories are all that remain, and those memories have become treasures more precious than ever.
Deputy Hafke, along with Argos Police, Fire, and EMS, responded quickly and worked tirelessly at the scene—a scene that will forever mark a turning point in the lives of many.
In the midst of tragedy, the community has come together with remarkable compassion. The outpouring of prayers, donations, and heartfelt tributes reflects the deep love and respect held for both Christopher and Johnny. Each message, each gesture, speaks to the impact they had and the legacy they leave behind.
As we honor their memory, we also recognize the ripple effect of this kind of loss—the grief that lingers in the quiet moments, the pain that surfaces in unexpected ways, and the long road toward healing for everyone touched by this tragedy. May the Jankoviak family feel surrounded by comfort, strength, and the unwavering support of their community.
Today, and in all the days to come, we remember Christopher Jankoviak and Johnny Jankoviak—two souls gone too soon, but whose love, light, and legacy will continue to shine in the hearts of those they leave behind.
May they rest in eternal peace. May their memories forever be a blessing.