Fatal I-69 Crash in DeKalb County Claims Life of Indianapolis Woman

A devastating collision on Interstate 69 in DeKalb County claimed the life of 22-year-old Mia Stevens and left another young woman critically injured on Wednesday afternoon. The accident occurred around 2:15 PM at the County Road 11A interchange, when Stevens, traveling northbound, attempted to avoid stopped traffic in a construction zone. Her vehicle swerved from the passing lane to the driving lane, resulting in the driver's side of her car striking the rear of a semi-truck at highway speed. Stevens was pronounced dead at the scene, while her passenger, 22-year-old Meghan Houston of Indianapolis, sustained critical injuries and was rushed to a Fort Wayne hospital. The semi-truck driver emerged uninjured. Indiana State Police responded to the scene and conducted a thorough investigation, which required the complete closure of northbound lanes for approximately three hours.

Location and Infrastructure

The accident site at I-69's interchange with County Road 11A is a crucial transportation corridor in DeKalb County, located in northeastern Indiana. This section of I-69 typically experiences heavy commercial truck traffic as it connects Indianapolis to Michigan. The presence of ongoing construction work at the time of the accident had created a traffic pattern disruption, with stopped vehicles in the construction zone. The County Road 11A interchange serves as an important local access point for surrounding communities and typically requires drivers to adjust their speeds when merging or navigating construction areas.

Legal Rights and Considerations

Under Indiana Code § 34-11-2-4, individuals impacted by motor vehicle accidents have two years from the incident date to file personal injury claims. In fatal accident cases, surviving family members may pursue wrongful death claims under Indiana Code § 34-23-1. Construction zone accidents often involve multiple parties, including contractors and government entities, potentially affecting liability considerations. Insurance claims should be initiated promptly, as Indiana follows a modified comparative fault system where parties less than 51% at fault may seek compensation. Available damages may include medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and in fatal cases, funeral expenses and loss of companionship. An experienced DeKalb County truck accident attorney will handle all aspects of the legal claim.

Related Resources

• DeKalb County Emergency Services: (260) 925-3365
• Indiana State Police Post 22 (Fort Wayne): (260) 432-8661
• Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) Northeast District
• DeKalb Health Hospital: (260) 925-4600
• Indiana Construction Zone Safety Program
• Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles Crash Reports
• Indiana Civil Justice System Victim Support Services