FORT WAYNE, Ind. (ADAMS) – A crash that snarled morning traffic on I-69 southbound took one woman’s life and injured six others. The Fort Wayne Police Department says three vehicles, a tanker truck, an F-150 truck, and a Ford Expedition.
Police say traffic was already slowing down on 69 close to Illinois Road from a wide load and ongoing construction around 7 a.m. when the tanker rear-ended the Expedition, which then ran into the F-150.
The drivers of the tanker and the pickup truck were not hurt; however, six of the seven people in the Ford were. One of the seven, a woman, was pronounced dead at the scene.
The FWPD released the following:
Officers of the Fort Wayne Police Department (FWPD) responded to reports of a crash on I69 southbound at the 304.8 mile marker. Upon arrival they found the crash involved 3 vehicles, a tanker truck, a silver Ford Expedition, and a red Ford F150. The driver of the tanker and the pick-up were uninjured. The Expedition was occupied by seven people. An adult female was pronounced dead at the scene by Three Rivers Ambulance Authority (TRAA). The six other occupants of the Expedition were transported to a local hospital for treatment of their injuries.
Witness statements at the scene indicate traffic was backed up due to a wide load further down the road, leading to the tanker rear ending the Expedition which then rear ended the F150.
Lane restrictions due to construction may have also contributed to the traffic congestion.
The FWPD Fatal Accident Crash Team (FACT) with the assistance of the FWPD Arial Support Unit (ASU) is on scene investigating the crash. The Indiana State Police Motor Carrier Unit is also on scene inspecting the tanker truck.
The Allen County Coroner will release the name of the deceased once next of kin have been notified. The crash remains under investigation by the FWPD FACT team, the Indiana State Police Motor Carrier Unit, and the Allen County Coroner’s office.
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