Three-Truck Crash on S.R. 3 Near Laotto in DeKalb County, Indiana, Sends Teen Driver to Hospital

A 17-year-old girl from Leo was hospitalized Monday evening following a three-vehicle crash involving pickup trucks near Laotto in DeKalb County, Indiana. According to the DeKalb County Sheriff's Office, the teen was driving a pickup truck on S.R. 3 and attempting to turn onto C.R. 68 when her vehicle collided with an oncoming pickup truck. The oncoming driver told investigators he was unable to stop in time to avoid the collision, while a witness reported that the teen pulled out in front of his truck. The force of the impact pushed both vehicles into a third pickup truck that was also in the area, bringing the total number of vehicles involved to three. Emergency responders transported the teen driver to a hospital following the crash; the extent of her injuries had not been disclosed at the time of the sheriff's office release. Her truck was declared a total loss. The drivers of the other two trucks were not injured, and no passengers were involved in any of the three vehicles. The DeKalb County Sheriff's Office continues to review the circumstances of the crash.

Location and Infrastructure

The crash occurred at the intersection of State Route 3 and County Road 68, a rural crossing near the unincorporated community of Laotto in DeKalb County, Indiana. S.R. 3 is a two-lane state highway that carries a mix of local and through traffic across northeastern Indiana, connecting communities such as Kendallville, Auburn, and the Fort Wayne area. Intersections where a state highway meets a county road, like S.R. 3 and C.R. 68, often rely on stop-sign control for the minor road, requiring drivers turning from or crossing the highway to judge gaps in oncoming traffic carefully. Rural highway intersections of this kind are frequently cited in Indiana crash data as higher-risk locations, particularly for left-turn and cross-traffic collisions, due to higher posted speeds, limited lighting after dark, and sightline obstructions from crops, trees, or terrain. DeKalb County lies within the jurisdiction of the DeKalb County Sheriff's Office, which investigates crashes on county and state roads outside municipal limits.

Legal Rights and Considerations

Under Indiana law, drivers turning across a highway or entering it from a stop must yield the right-of-way to oncoming traffic close enough to pose an immediate hazard. Indiana follows a modified comparative fault system (Indiana Code § 34-51-2), meaning any driver found more than 50% at fault may be barred from recovering damages, while others may have their compensation reduced by their assigned percentage of fault. Because a minor was involved, additional considerations may apply, including how the statute of limitations is tolled until the minor turns 18. Generally, Indiana's statute of limitations for personal injury and property damage claims is two years from the date of the incident (Indiana Code § 34-11-2-4), though minors typically have until two years after reaching adulthood. Compensation in cases like this may include medical expenses, vehicle repair or replacement costs, and other documented losses. Insurance claims involving multiple vehicles often require careful review of each driver's coverage and liability. This information is general in nature and not a substitute for individualized legal advice.

Related Resources

• DeKalb County Sheriff's Office (crash reports and non-emergency inquiries): dekalbcountyin.org/sheriff
• Indiana State Police District 21 (Fort Wayne, serving northeastern Indiana): in.gov/isp
• Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles crash reporting information: in.gov/bmv
• Indiana Criminal Justice Institute – Traffic Safety Division: in.gov/cji/traffic-safety
• Indiana Code Title 9 (Motor Vehicles) – state traffic laws: iga.in.gov/laws/2024/ic/titles/9
• National Highway Traffic Safety Administration – crash safety resources: nhtsa.gov
• DeKalb Health (local emergency and hospital services, Auburn, IN): dekalbhealth.org