FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WISH) — A crash involving an SUV, tanker truck, and pickup on I-69 claimed the life of a passenger Thursday morning.
The Allen County Coroner’s Office identified the victim as Lashieka Kapri Samuels, 39, from Flint, Michigan. The incident occurred around 7:10 a.m. in the southbound lanes between the U.S. 24 West/Jefferson Boulevard and State Road 14 West/Illinois Road interchanges.
Six additional occupants from the SUV sustained injuries and were transported to a hospital. Their conditions are not believed to be life-threatening, according to authorities. The Fort Wayne Police Department reported that the SUV was wedged between the tanker and the pickup truck.
Witnesses indicated that traffic congestion caused by a “wide load” vehicle may have contributed to the accident. Lane restrictions due to construction at the State Road 14 West/Illinois Road interchange were also cited as a possible factor.
The Fort Wayne Police Department’s Fatal Accident Crash Team is handling the investigation. The southbound lanes of I-69 were closed following the crash and reopened shortly before 11:15 a.m. Thursday.