FORT WAYNE, Ind. A man is fighting for his life after being struck by a vehicle late Thursday night on Coliseum Boulevard, just east of Hillegas Road. The crash happened shortly after 11 p.m. on January 15, 2026, leaving the pedestrian with life threatening injuries.
Fort Wayne police arrived to find the man awake but severely hurt, lying in the roadway. Paramedics rushed him to a local hospital where he remains in critical condition Friday morning.
The driver stayed at the scene, cooperated fully with officers, and showed no signs of impairment. Investigators say neither speed nor alcohol appear to be factors in the collision.
Crash Shuts Down Busy Stretch of Coliseum
The impact closed eastbound Coliseum Boulevard for several hours between Hillegas and Goshen roads while the Fatal Accident Crash Team processed the scene. Police also deployed their Air Support Unit to capture aerial images of the crash site, a step routinely taken in serious or potentially fatal incidents.
Officers have not released details about why the pedestrian was in the roadway at the time of the crash.
Another Serious Pedestrian Crash in Growing Trend
This incident marks at least the third serious pedestrian collision in Fort Wayne in the past month and continues a troubling upward trend across northeast Indiana.
Recent pedestrian incidents in the area include:
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- January 3, 2026: Woman critically injured on Stellhorn Road near Maplecrest
- December 28, 2025: Man killed while crossing State Boulevard near Wells Street
- December 14, 2025: Teen struck and seriously hurt on Calhoun Street downtown
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Indiana recorded 112 pedestrian deaths in 2024, the highest number in more than three decades, according to preliminary state data.
Community Concerns Grow Over Road Safety
Residents who live and work near the crash site say poor lighting, high speeds, and missing crosswalks make the stretch of Coliseum Boulevard especially dangerous for pedestrians.
The intersection sits in a busy commercial corridor with multiple shopping centers, restaurants, and hotels that draw heavy foot traffic, particularly after dark.
City officials have discussed safety improvements for the area in recent years, but no major changes have been implemented along this section of Coliseum Boulevard.
Police continue to investigate Thursday night’s crash and ask anyone who witnessed the incident or has dash camera footage to contact the Fort Wayne Police Department.
Share this story if you want local leaders to finally make pedestrian safety a real priority in Fort Wayne. Have you or someone you know been affected by dangerous roads in our city? Tell us in the comments.
