A tragic three-vehicle rear-end collision on State Road 1 in Leo-Cedarville, located in northeast Allen County, Indiana, claimed one life and left two others fighting for survival on Saturday afternoon. The Allen County Sheriff's Department responded to the crash scene just north of Union Chapel Road at approximately 3:46 p.m., where officers discovered three northbound vehicles involved in a chain-reaction collision: a silver Hyundai SUV, a silver Chevrolet SUV, and a black Kia SUV. According to investigators, the silver Chevrolet SUV and black Kia SUV were stopped in traffic when the silver Hyundai SUV rear-ended the Chevrolet, which was then pushed forward into the Kia. The male driver of the silver Chevrolet SUV was pronounced dead at the scene, while a female passenger from the same vehicle and a juvenile passenger from the Hyundai SUV were transported to local hospitals with life-threatening injuries. Emergency responders closed State Road 1 for approximately three hours to conduct their investigation and clear the wreckage before reopening the roadway to traffic.

Location and Infrastructure

State Road 1 is a major north-south corridor in Allen County, serving as a critical route through the Leo-Cedarville area in the northeastern portion of the county. The crash location, just north of Union Chapel Road, is situated in a section that experiences regular traffic flow connecting rural communities to Fort Wayne and surrounding municipalities. This stretch of State Road 1 is known for carrying a mix of local commuter traffic and through-traffic, with vehicles frequently encountering stopped or slowed traffic conditions, particularly during peak travel times and weekends. The roadway in this area features standard rural highway characteristics with posted speed limits that require drivers to remain vigilant for changing traffic conditions. Union Chapel Road serves as a notable landmark intersection in the community, making the crash location easily identifiable to local residents and frequent travelers of the route.

Legal Rights and Considerations

Indiana law requires all drivers to maintain a safe following distance and exercise reasonable care to avoid rear-end collisions, as outlined in Indiana Code § 9-21-8-14. Victims of traffic accidents in Indiana may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and in fatal cases, wrongful death damages through the estate of the deceased. Indiana operates under a modified comparative fault system, meaning compensation may be reduced if a victim is found partially at fault, though recovery is barred if the victim is 51% or more responsible. The statute of limitations for personal injury claims in Indiana is generally two years from the date of the accident, while wrongful death claims must typically be filed within two years of the date of death. Given the severity of this collision involving a fatality and life-threatening injuries, family members and survivors should be aware that insurance considerations may include liability coverage, uninsured/underinsured motorist protection, and medical payments coverage.

Related Resources

Emergency Services:

• Allen County Sheriff's Department: (260) 449-7555
• Allen County Emergency Medical Services
• Lutheran Hospital Fort Wayne: (260) 435-7001
• Parkview Regional Medical Center: (260) 266-1000

Traffic Safety Resources:

• Indiana Criminal Justice Institute Traffic Safety Division
• Indiana State Police Safe Driving Tips: www.in.gov/isp
• Allen County Highway Department: (260) 449-7241

Support Services:

• Indiana Victim Assistance Network
• Allen County Victim Assistance Program: (260) 449-7250
• Grieving Together Allen County

Legal and Regulatory Information:

• Indiana Code Title 9 (Motor Vehicles): iga.in.gov
• Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles: www.in.gov/bmv
• National Highway Traffic Safety Administration: www.nhtsa.gov