UPDATE (August 1, 2024):
The Allen County Coroner has identified the man who died when he was struck by a semi-truck on I-69 early on Wednesday. The coroner says that Robert Collins’ death was ruled an accident.
The incident remains under investigation.
The Allen County Coroner’s Office released the following:
On July 31, 2024, at about 00:25 hours the Allen County Coroner’s Office was notified of a fatal motor vehicle crash near the 310-mile maker of I69, Fort Wayne, Indiana. The victim was pronounced deceased at the scene.
The victim was identified as Robert Collins, male, White, 68 years of age, from Fort Wayne, Indiana. Notification has been made to the legal next of kin.
The Cause of Death is Multiple Blunt Impact Injuries due to Motor Vehicle Crash and the Manner of Death is Accident. Robert Collins is the 21st motor vehicle fatality for Allen County in 2024. The incident remains under investigation by the Fort Wayne Police Department, the Allen County Prosecutor’s Office and the Allen County Coroner’s Office.
ORIGINAL STORY:
FORT WAYNE, Ind. (ADAMS) – The Fort Wayne Police Department says that I-69 has reopened after a pedestrian was fatally hit by a semi overnight. It happened close to the 310-mile marker just after midnight.
Police think the man was crossing the southbound lanes in the construction zone when he was struck.
The FWPD noted that he was wearing dark clothing which could have contributed to the driver not seeing him. The driver of the semi is not suspected to have been speeding or under the influence.
This is the second time in less than a week that a pedestrian has been fatally struck on the interstate in Allen County. An Indianapolis man died when he was hit on I-69 last Thursday.
The FWPD released the following:
Fort Wayne Police Department is investigating a fatal traffic crash on Interstate 69 near the 310.4 mile marker. Officers responded to the area on a report of a pedestrian being struck by semi just after midnight on 7/31/2024. Officers arrived locating a single vehicle crash involving a semi and male pedestrian. Medics determined the pedestrian succumbed to his injuries on-scene.
The initial investigation indicates the pedestrian was crossing the southbound lanes of interstate when he was struct by the semi. The section of the interstate where the crash occurred is unlit and is currently under construction with lane restrictions. The pedestrian was wearing dark clothing which may have contributed to the crash. The speed of the semi and alcohol relating to the driver of the semi do not appear to be a factor in the crash.
The southbound lanes of Interstate 69 near the 310.4 mile marker remain closed at this time. All southbound traffic is being diverted off the interstate at Lima Rd (exit 311). The Lima Rd entrance ramps for southbound Interstate 69 traffic are also closed. The closures are expected to remain in place for the next few hours while the fatal crash team continues to investigate the crash.
Comments