Fort Wayne, IN (January 31, 2026) – A serious crash involving multiple vehicles shut down the southbound lanes of Interstate 69 Saturday morning near mile marker 302, leaving at least two people hospitalized—one in critical condition. The initial crash occurred around 6:42 a.m. and was followed by a series of secondary collisions and slide-offs along the same stretch of highway.
Emergency responders from the Fort Wayne Police Department and Fort Wayne Fire Department arrived at the scene to find a severely damaged vehicle with a man and a woman trapped inside. Fire crews worked quickly to extricate both victims, after which they were transported to a local hospital. Medical staff later confirmed the man sustained non-life-threatening injuries, while the woman’s condition was listed as life-threatening.
By 7:10 a.m., authorities issued a public safety alert warning drivers of the full closure of all southbound lanes of I-69 between Illinois Rd and Jefferson Blvd due to the severity of the incident and ongoing response. Several additional crashes occurred in the area, including one south of the Jefferson Blvd exit that caused minor injuries.
At approximately 11:00 a.m., the southbound on-ramp at I-69 and Jefferson Blvd was also closed as part of the broader traffic control effort. Officials continue to investigate the cause of the initial crash and subsequent collisions, with weather and road conditions likely under review.
Our thoughts are with the injured individuals, especially the woman fighting to recover, and we extend sincere wishes for their full and timely healing.
