FORT WAYNE, Ind. – An elderly man lost his life Saturday evening when his pickup truck left Interstate 69, crashed through a ditch and fence, and struck a tree just south of the Goshen Road exit.
The Allen County Sheriff’s Department says the single-vehicle wreck happened around 7:15 p.m. at the northbound 308-mile marker.
What Investigators Found at the Scene
When deputies and medics arrived, they discovered the pickup on the east side of the roadway with the driver still inside. Paramedics rushed the man to a local hospital, but he was pronounced dead a short time later.
Witnesses told officers the truck had been traveling north when it slowly drifted off the pavement, crossed the grassy median ditch, tore through a fence, and then hit a large tree head-on.
“It didn’t look like he ever hit the brakes,” one deputy noted in the initial report.
Crash Remains Under Investigation
Authorities have not released the victim’s name pending family notification. They also have not said whether speed, weather, or a medical emergency played a role.
The northbound lanes were reduced to one lane for nearly three hours while crews cleared the wreckage and investigators processed the scene. Traffic backed up for miles as word of the fatal crash spread.
Indiana State Police crash reconstruction specialists are now assisting the sheriff’s department.
Deadly Stretch of I-69 Claims Another Life
This section of I-69 between Fort Wayne and the Goshen Road interchange has seen multiple serious crashes in recent years.
Since 2022, Indiana Department of Transportation data shows at least eight fatal or injury wrecks within a two-mile radius of Saturday’s crash site.
Common factors cited in previous incidents:
- Drivers drifting off the roadway
- Distracted or impaired driving
- Sudden medical episodes behind the wheel
Safety advocates have repeatedly called for rumble strips, brighter lighting, and wider shoulders along this corridor.
Community Reacts with Grief and Calls for Change
By Sunday morning, a simple wooden cross and fresh flowers already appeared at the crash site. Neighbors say the victim was a familiar face who often traveled that stretch of highway.
“It breaks your heart,” said Lisa Carter, who lives less than a mile from the wreck. “That could have been any of our parents or grandparents.”
Many took to social media using #I69Safety and #DriveSafeFortWayne to share memories and push for immediate improvements.
One post that gained thousands of shares read: “Another life gone on this dangerous road. How many more before INDOT finally acts?”
The Allen County Sheriff’s Department asks anyone who witnessed the crash or has dash-cam video to call 260-449-7442.
This tragic incident serves as a sobering reminder to stay alert, slow down in work zones, and never drive if you feel unwell. One moment of distraction or one medical emergency can change everything.
Our deepest condolences go out to the victim’s family and friends during this heartbreaking time.
What do you think needs to be done to make I-69 safer through Fort Wayne? Drop your thoughts in the comments below and share this story with #I69Safety so more people see it.
