INDIANA — Two people were killed in a six-vehicle crash involving three passenger vehicles and three semi-trucks on Interstate 69 in southern Allen County on Wednesday afternoon.
According to the Allen County Sheriff’s Department, the crash occurred shortly before 2 p.m. in a construction zone on the southbound side of I-69 south of the General Motors plant.
Investigators said a semi-truck approached two vehicles that were stopped in traffic and struck both from behind. One of the vehicles was pushed into a nearby ditch, while the other collided with another semi-truck. The force of the crash caused the first semi-truck to continue forward, leading a second semi-truck to strike a third passenger vehicle from behind. That vehicle was then pushed into another semi-truck in front of it.
The drivers of the first two passenger vehicles involved in the crash were pronounced dead at the scene. Their identities have not been released.
The driver of the first semi-truck was transported to a hospital and was reported to be in stable condition.
The Indiana Department of Transportation reported that southbound I-69 was closed between the Lafayette Center Road/I-469 interchange and the U.S. 224 interchange in Markle following the crash.
Authorities issued a public safety message advising residents to avoid the area. The sheriff’s department said the roadway was expected to remain closed until at least 8 p.m. as crews worked at the scene and investigators examined the crash.
The incident remains under investigation.
