The Indiana State Police Pendleton District is investigating a fatal crash on Interstate 69 near the 234-mile marker in Daleville. Two people were killed in a head-on collision involving a silver Kia Forte and a white Chevrolet Malibu. Alcohol is suspected to be a factor in the crash. The southbound lanes of I-69 were closed for about 4.5 hours for the investigation. The Indiana State Police were assisted by several other departments in the investigation. Herald Bulletin reported
The Indiana State Police Pendleton District is currently investigating a fatal crash that occurred on Sunday morning on Interstate 69 near the 234-mile marker in Daleville. At around 2:30 a.m., authorities received a report of a head-on collision in the southbound lanes. Upon arrival, they discovered multiple vehicles damaged and blocking the southbound lanes. According to preliminary findings, a silver Kia Forte was traveling in the wrong direction (northbound) on I-69 when it collided head-on with a white Chevrolet Malibu. The impact caused the Kia’s engine to detach and come to rest in the left lane. Additionally, a silver Volkswagen struck the engine in the roadway. The Kia also collided with a southbound semi-tractor-trailer before coming to a stop. Tragically, both occupants of the Chevrolet Malibu, identified as Victoria Elaine Cox (32) and Evan Daniel Cox (26) from Fort Wayne, were pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the Kia, Walter Saucedo-Mendoza (30) from Indianapolis, was transported to a local hospital for treatment. The drivers of the Volkswagen and semi tractor-trailer were unharmed. Alcohol is believed to have played a role in the crash. The southbound lanes of I-69 were closed for approximately 4.5 hours to facilitate the investigation and removal of the vehicles involved. The Indiana State Police received assistance from various local agencies during the investigation..
A deadly crash occurred on Sunday morning on Interstate 69 near the 234-mile marker (Daleville exit). The Indiana State Police Pendleton District is currently investigating the incident. The crash was reported to Madison County dispatch at around 2:30 a.m., and it involved a head-on collision in the southbound lanes of I-69. Upon arrival, first responders found multiple damaged vehicles blocking the southbound lanes.
According to preliminary findings, a silver Kia Forte was traveling in the wrong direction (northbound) in the southbound lanes of I-69 when it collided head-on with a white Chevrolet Malibu. The impact was severe, causing the engine of the Kia to detach and end up in the left lane of the highway. Another vehicle, a silver Volkswagen, then struck the engine on the road. The Kia also collided with a southbound semi-tractor-trailer before coming to a stop uncontrollably.
Sadly, both the driver and passenger of the Chevrolet Malibu, identified as Victoria Elaine Cox (32 years old) and Evan Daniel Cox (26 years old) from Fort Wayne, were pronounced dead at the scene by the Delaware County Coroner Gavin Greene. The driver of the Kia, Walter Saucedo-Mendoza (30 years old) from Indianapolis, was transported to Indiana University Ball Memorial Hospital by ambulance and later transferred by air ambulance to a hospital in Indianapolis.
Fortunately, the drivers of the Volkswagen and semi-tractor-trailer did not sustain any injuries. However, alcohol is suspected to have played a role in this tragic crash. As a result, the southbound lanes of I-69 were closed for approximately 4 1/2 hours to conduct the investigation and remove the vehicles involved. The Indiana State Police received assistance from various agencies, including the Delaware County Sheriff’s Department, Daleville Police Department, Chesterfield Police Department, Salem Township Fire Department, Delaware County EMS, and Northwest Towing..