A 27-year-old Albion man lost his life early Wednesday morning following a single-vehicle accident in Noble County, Indiana. Cole Delorey was driving his SUV on Albion Road, west of County Road 350 West, when the vehicle veered off the roadway for reasons still under investigation. According to the Noble County Sheriff's Department, the incident occurred around 4 a.m. when Delorey's SUV left the road, rolled onto its roof, and came to rest in a roadside ditch containing approximately six inches of standing water. Emergency responders arrived at the scene promptly after receiving reports of the crash. Despite their efforts, Delorey was pronounced dead after being transported to a local hospital. The Noble County Sheriff's Department is currently investigating the circumstances that led to the fatal accident, with particular attention to what caused the SUV to leave the roadway in the early morning hours.

Location and Infrastructure

Albion Road in Noble County is a rural thoroughfare that serves as an important connector between Albion and surrounding communities. The section where the accident occurred, just west of County Road 350 West, is characterized by its rural setting with agricultural fields and intermittent wooded areas. The area is known for limited lighting during nighttime hours, which can create challenging driving conditions, particularly during adverse weather. On the morning of the accident, standing water was present in roadside ditches, suggesting recent precipitation may have affected road conditions. The intersection of Albion Road and CR 350 West is approximately 2 miles west of the town of Albion, the county seat of Noble County, and features standard county road signage but limited additional traffic control infrastructure typical of rural Indiana roadways.

Legal Rights and Considerations

Under Indiana law, the family of a deceased accident victim may have grounds for a wrongful death claim if negligence by another party contributed to the accident. Even in single-vehicle accidents, potential factors such as road design defects, maintenance issues, or vehicle manufacturing defects could establish liability. Indiana follows a modified comparative fault system, meaning compensation may be reduced if the victim is found partially at fault, but recovery is still possible. The statute of limitations for wrongful death claims in Indiana is generally two years from the date of death, making timely investigation crucial. Potential compensation could include medical expenses prior to death, funeral and burial costs, lost future income, and damages for loss of love and companionship. The deceased's auto insurance may also provide coverage through personal injury protection or uninsured motorist provisions regardless of fault determination.

Related Resources

• Noble County Sheriff's Department: (260) 636-2182
• Noble County Emergency Management Agency: (260) 636-2938
• Parkview Noble Hospital: (260) 347-8700
• Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) Northeast District: (260) 969-8229
• Indiana State Police Crash Reports: www.in.gov/isp
• Noble County Victim Assistance Program: (260) 636-2178
• Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles: www.in.gov/bmv
• Indiana Legal Services (Legal Aid): www.indianalegalservices.org
• Indiana Department of Insurance: www.in.gov/idoi
• Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) Indiana: (317) 781-6233