One person dead following vehicle crash in Indiana

INDIANA — A woman was killed and six others were injured in a multi-vehicle crash Thursday morning on I-69 near the Illinois Road interchange, causing major traffic disruptions in both directions.

The crash occurred shortly before 7:30 a.m. in the southbound lanes of I-69, which were already experiencing slowdowns due to ongoing construction and wide loads in the area, according to Sgt. Jonathan Cutler of the Fort Wayne Police Department.

Investigators say a semitruck rear-ended a Ford Expedition, which was then pushed into a pickup truck. A woman in the Expedition was pronounced dead at the scene. Six other occupants of the SUV were transported to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. No injuries were reported in the semi or pickup truck.

The southbound lanes of I-69 were backed up for more than a mile, stretching from just south of the Illinois Road interchange to north of the Bass Road overpass. Northbound traffic also experienced delays near the crash scene.

Police are directing southbound drivers to exit at the 309 mile marker and follow emergency I-69 route signs to re-enter the interstate beyond the crash site.

One southbound lane was being reopened by 9 a.m., but Cutler noted the process is slow due to the nature of the investigation and cleanup.

The crash remains under investigation.