Woman in Life-Threatening Condition After Two-Vehicle Crash at Capitol Avenue and Woodsdale Lane in Fort Wayne

A woman is fighting for her life following a serious two-vehicle collision that occurred Saturday night in southeast Fort Wayne, Indiana. According to the Fort Wayne Police Department (FWPD), the crash happened around 10:30 p.m. at the intersection of Capitol Avenue and Woodsdale Lane, near McMillen Park. When officers arrived at the scene, they found an unconscious female driver in one of the vehicles. She was immediately transported to a local hospital where medical staff determined her injuries to be life-threatening. Initial investigation by FWPD revealed that the woman's car was traveling south on Woodsdale Lane while a minivan was heading east on Capitol Avenue. The collision occurred when the car failed to yield right-of-way to the minivan at the intersection. The minivan had four occupants, including a small child, with two people suffering minor injuries. While police do not believe speed was a factor in the crash, investigators are still determining whether drugs or alcohol may have played a role. The incident remains under active investigation by Fort Wayne authorities.

Location and Infrastructure

The intersection of Capitol Avenue and Woodsdale Lane is located in southeast Fort Wayne, in close proximity to McMillen Park, a well-known recreational area. This residential intersection serves as a connection point between several neighborhoods in the southeast quadrant of the city. Capitol Avenue is a moderately traveled east-west thoroughfare that provides access to multiple residential areas and community facilities, while Woodsdale Lane is a north-south residential street with lower traffic volumes. The intersection is controlled by stop signs on Woodsdale Lane, requiring north and southbound traffic to yield to vehicles on Capitol Avenue. This type of intersection configuration can create visibility challenges, particularly during evening hours when this accident occurred. The area surrounding McMillen Park experiences increased traffic during weekends and evenings when park facilities are in use, potentially contributing to more complex traffic patterns.

Legal Rights and Considerations

Under Indiana law, failure to yield right-of-way at an intersection, as appears to be the case in this accident, may constitute negligence under Indiana Code § 9-21-8-31. Injured parties in such collisions may be entitled to pursue compensation through insurance claims or legal action. Indiana follows a modified comparative fault system (IC § 34-51-2-6), meaning victims can recover damages as long as they are 50% or less at fault, though compensation is reduced by their percentage of fault. Potential damages may include medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and property damage. Indiana's statute of limitations (IC § 34-11-2-4) generally allows two years from the accident date to file personal injury lawsuits. Victims should be aware that Indiana's minimum auto insurance requirements include $25,000 per person for bodily injury, which may be insufficient for serious injuries, making underinsured motorist coverage important.

Related Resources

Emergency Services:

• Fort Wayne Police Department: (260) 427-1222
• Fort Wayne Fire Department: (260) 427-1170
• Parkview Regional Medical Center: (260) 266-1000
• Lutheran Hospital: (260) 435-7001

Traffic Safety Resources:

• Indiana Criminal Justice Institute's Traffic Safety Division: (317) 232-1233
• Fort Wayne Traffic Engineering Department: (260) 427-1172
• Allen County Highway Department: (260) 449-7369

Support Services:

• Indiana Victim Compensation Program: (800) 353-1484
• Brain Injury Association of Indiana: (317) 356-7722
• Indiana Disability Rights: (800) 622-4845

Legal Resources:

• Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles: (888) 692-6841
• Indiana Department of Insurance: (800) 622-4461
• Indiana Judicial Branch (for court information): (317) 232-2550