In the early morning hours of Monday, a tragic single-vehicle crash on northbound Interstate 69 in Fort Wayne claimed the life of one person. The incident occurred around 2:50 a.m. when emergency services were dispatched to the 313-mile marker of I-69, just north of the Coldwater Road exit (Exit 312). Upon arrival, responding officers discovered a vehicle that had collided with the median. Inside, they found an unconscious male driver who was immediately transported to a local hospital. Despite medical intervention, authorities later confirmed that the man succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead. The crash prompted significant traffic disruptions, with the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) and local police closing the two left lanes of northbound I-69 between US 27/Indiana 3 and I-469 while investigators worked to determine the cause of the collision. The identity of the victim has not been released pending notification of next of kin.

Location and Infrastructure

The crash site at mile marker 313 on northbound I-69 is situated in a heavily traveled section of interstate that serves as a major artery through Fort Wayne. This particular stretch of highway lies just north of the Coldwater Road exit (312), a busy interchange that connects to commercial districts and residential areas. The section sees substantial daily traffic as it links downtown Fort Wayne with the northeastern suburbs and provides access to I-469, the bypass route around the city. The interstate in this area typically maintains three lanes in each direction with a concrete median barrier separating northbound and southbound traffic. This corridor frequently experiences congestion during peak travel times, and the overnight hours when this accident occurred typically see higher speeds due to reduced traffic volume. The proximity to the Coldwater Road exit means vehicles may be navigating lane changes in this section as they prepare to exit or merge.

Legal Rights and Considerations

Under Indiana law, the family of an individual killed in a motor vehicle accident may have grounds for a wrongful death claim, particularly if evidence suggests external factors contributed to the crash. Indiana operates under a comparative fault system (IC 34-51-2), meaning compensation may be adjusted based on the degree of fault attributed to each party involved. Survivors should be aware that Indiana's statute of limitations (IC 34-11-2-4) generally allows just two years from the date of death to file a wrongful death lawsuit. Additionally, insurance considerations in fatal single-vehicle accidents can be complex, potentially involving personal injury protection, uninsured motorist coverage (if another vehicle was involved but left the scene), or claims against entities responsible for road maintenance if defective conditions contributed to the crash. Potential compensation may include medical expenses incurred before death, funeral and burial costs, lost future income, and damages for loss of love and companionship.

Related Resources

Emergency Services:

• Fort Wayne Police Department: (260) 427-1222
• Fort Wayne Fire Department: (260) 427-1170
• Parkview Regional Medical Center: (260) 266-1000
• Lutheran Hospital: (260) 435-7001

Traffic Safety Resources:

• Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT): (855) 463-6848
• INDOT TrafficWise: www.511in.org
• Allen County Highway Department: (260) 449-7369

Support Services:

• Victim Assistance Program - Allen County Prosecutor's Office: (260) 449-7641
• Northeastern Indiana Trauma Support Network: (260) 373-9800
• Indiana Criminal Justice Institute - Victim Services: (317) 232-1233

Legal and Regulatory Information:

• Indiana Code on Traffic Regulations: www.in.gov/legislative/ic/code/title9
• Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles: www.in.gov/bmv
• Indiana State Police: www.in.gov/isp