Illinois Road lanes shut down near Meijer store after crash

The Fort Wayne Police Department is currently investigating a collision on Illinois Road that resulted in a driver being trapped in their vehicle and led to a section of Illinois Road being shut down. The incident occurred at approximately 4:45 a.m. on Friday, but specific details about the crash are scarce. Emergency responders rushed to the scene at the intersection of Illinois Road and Sutton Avenue following a report of the crash. The site is situated near Bart's Car Store and just to the east of the Meijer store. According to initial reports, a semi-truck traveling westward was alerted by a sound at the back of the vehicle and discovered that a car had collided with the rear of the truck. The driver of the car had to be freed by emergency crews, a process lasting roughly 19 minutes. The driver, whose identity remains undisclosed, was transported to a hospital in critical condition, which later deteriorated to life-threatening. Authorities suspect that speed may have been a factor in the accident. The westbound lanes of Illinois Road from Reckeweg to Sutton Avenue near the Meijer store are anticipated to be closed until around 9 a.m., with westbound traffic diverted south on Reckeweg. The eastbound lanes are expected to remain accessible. Individuals who witnessed the crash are encouraged to reach out to the Fort Wayne Police Department at 260-427-1222, Crime Stoppers at 260-436-7867, or utilize the P3 Tips app.