A fatal hit-and-run accident occurred in southeast Fort Wayne late Saturday evening, claiming the life of a pedestrian near the intersection of Paulding Road and Calhoun Street. Fort Wayne Police Department officers responded to the scene around 10 p.m. on Saturday following reports of an incident involving either a shooting or vehicle collision. Upon arrival, investigators determined that the victim had been struck by a vehicle in a hit-and-run crash. The pedestrian was immediately transported to a local hospital, where they later succumbed to their injuries. The incident marks another tragic addition to Fort Wayne's ongoing concerns with traffic safety in heavily traveled corridors. Police have not yet released details about the victim's identity, the description of the fleeing vehicle, or any potential suspects. The Fort Wayne Police Department is actively investigating the circumstances surrounding the collision and seeking assistance from the public. Anyone with information about this fatal crash is urged to contact police through the non-emergency line at 260.427.1222, reach out to Crime Stoppers at 260.436.7867, or submit anonymous tips via the P3 app available at P3Tips.com.

Location and Infrastructure

The intersection of Paulding Road and South Calhoun Street represents a significant traffic corridor in southeast Fort Wayne, currently handling approximately 15,000 vehicles daily. This busy intersection connects residential neighborhoods with commercial areas and serves as a transition point between the urban Airport Expressway and residential zones. The area is slated for major reconstruction improvements, with the City of Fort Wayne planning to reconfigure the traffic signal from a split-phase to a traditional signal operation with protected left turns. The intersection is located near Bishop Luers High School in the Fairfield Terrace Belmont neighborhood, making it a high-pedestrian area during school hours. Future infrastructure improvements are designed to calm traffic and lower vehicle speeds, particularly where the Airport Expressway transitions into the urban street section of Paulding Road. The ongoing reconstruction project aims to enhance safety features and improve traffic flow, though some residents have expressed concerns about the planned changes to the corridor's configuration.

Legal Rights and Considerations

Under Indiana Code 9-26-1-1.1, drivers involved in accidents must immediately stop at the scene, provide their personal information and driver's license to all parties involved, and render reasonable assistance if there are injuries or fatalities. Hit-and-run violations in Indiana can result in charges ranging from a Class B misdemeanor for property damage accidents to felony charges when bodily injury, serious injury, or death occurs. Victims or their families have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit under Indiana's statute of limitations. In cases where the at-fault driver cannot be located, victims may seek compensation through their own uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, which Indiana law requires insurance companies to offer with minimum coverage limits of $25,000 to $50,000 for bodily injury. Pedestrian victims in Indiana may be entitled to both economic damages (medical expenses, lost wages, replacement costs for services) and non-economic damages (pain and suffering, loss of quality of life) depending on the circumstances of the case. Indiana limits punitive damages to the greater of $50,000 or three times the total compensatory damages awarded.

Related Resources

Local Emergency Services:

• Fort Wayne Police Department Non-Emergency: 260-427-1222
• Crime Stoppers: 260-436-7867
• P3 Tips App: P3Tips.com
• Fort Wayne Fire Department: 260-427-1234
• Indiana State Police District 22: 260-432-8661

Traffic Safety Resources:

• Fort Wayne Traffic Engineering Department: 260-427-6155
• City of Fort Wayne Public Works: www.cityoffortwayne.org
• Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT): 511 or 1-866-227-3555
• TREC (Traffic Records Enhancement Consortium): www.trecthefort.org

Support Services for Accident Victims:

• Indiana 211 (Community Resources): 211 or 260-744-0700
• Fort Wayne Police Victim Assistance Unit
• Local hospitals and trauma centers
• Personal injury and wrongful death attorneys specializing in Indiana law

Legal Resources:

• Indiana Traffic Code: Indiana Code Title 9
• Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles: www.in.gov/bmv
• Indiana State Bar Association: www.inbar.org
• Legal aid organizations for low-income individuals