Fort Wayne Man Airlifted After Single-Vehicle Rollover Crash on I-69 South of Waterloo Exit in DeKalb County, Indiana
Fort Wayne man injured in interstate crash
According to the news release, the trailer began to fishtail, causing Hunt’s vehicle to strike the guardrail along the west side of the interstate.
A 43-year-old Fort Wayne man was flown to an area hospital with neck and abdominal injuries following a single-vehicle crash on Interstate 69 south of the Waterloo exit in DeKalb County. The crash was reported at approximately 3:18 p.m. Thursday near the 333 mile marker, according to a news release from the DeKalb County Sheriff's Office. Police said David Hunt was driving a 1999 Chevrolet Silverado while towing a trailer southbound on I-69 when the trailer began to fishtail. The instability caused Hunt's truck to strike the guardrail along the west side of the interstate, sending the vehicle over the guardrail and overturning it. Hunt was ejected from the vehicle during the crash. The trailer came to rest in the right lane beneath the C.R. 28 overpass, while the truck landed on its passenger side on the shoulder; authorities confirmed the truck was a total loss. Emergency responders from multiple agencies — including Waterloo police and fire, Corunna Fire Department, Auburn Police Department, Indiana State Police, Parkview EMS, Riverside Towing, and DeKalb County Central Communications — assisted at the scene. Hunt was airlifted for treatment; his current condition has not been publicly released.
Location and Infrastructure
The crash occurred on Interstate 69 southbound near the 333 mile marker, just south of the Waterloo exit in DeKalb County, Indiana, close to the C.R. 28 overpass. This stretch of I-69 is a high-speed, divided highway corridor connecting Fort Wayne to Angola and the Michigan state line, carrying significant commercial and passenger traffic, including vehicles towing trailers and recreational equipment. Guardrails line portions of the roadway to prevent vehicles from leaving the traveled way, though rollover and ejection incidents remain a risk during loss-of-control events, particularly those involving trailer sway or "fishtailing." The involvement of multiple municipal and county emergency agencies — including departments from Waterloo, Corunna, and Auburn — reflects the rural, multi-jurisdictional nature of this section of interstate, where mutual aid response is common for serious crashes.
Legal Rights and Considerations
Under Indiana law, drivers towing trailers are responsible for ensuring proper hitching, weight distribution, and load securement, and violations of applicable towing or vehicle equipment statutes may be relevant to determining fault in trailer-related crashes. Indiana follows a modified comparative fault system, meaning compensation may be reduced or barred if the injured party is found partially responsible. Individuals involved in serious crashes should be aware that Indiana's statute of limitations for personal injury claims is generally two years from the date of the incident. Insurance considerations may include coverage disputes, underinsured/uninsured motorist claims, or liability questions related to towing equipment. Potential compensation in cases involving serious injury may cover medical expenses, lost wages, vehicle damage, and pain and suffering. Anyone affected should consult official records and appropriate professionals to understand their specific rights.
Related Resources
- DeKalb County Sheriff's Office – Local law enforcement and crash reports
- Indiana State Police – Statewide traffic enforcement and crash data
- Waterloo Fire Department / Corunna Fire Department – Local emergency response services
- Parkview EMS – Emergency medical services and transport
- Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) – Vehicle and driver regulations
- Indiana Criminal Justice Institute – Traffic Safety Division – State traffic safety resources and statistics
- Indiana Code Title 9 (Motor Vehicles) – State traffic laws and regulations
- National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) – Trailer towing safety guidance and crash prevention resources
What you need to know after a serious Waterloo car accident
When someone has been seriously injured in a car crash in Waterloo, they must deal with medical bills and lost wages.
After a serious car collision, it is crucial to quickly get the information needed to make good decisions. Getting appropriate medical treatment is just one aspect of recovering. Getting help in handling the personal injury insurance claim that will begin financial recovery is another.
If the injuries are serious, it is best to contact an experienced Waterloo injury lawyer for a free, no-obligation consultation. Serious injury accident claims are hard to handle without the help of a good lawyer who understands the process. Learn more about how an experienced Waterloo car accident attorney can help.
Spinal cord injuries are not uncommon following many kinds of accidents. A person will usually require intense medical care to recover from them, and many can’t return to the work they did before the injury. When an accident causes this serious type of harm, the victim can bring a personal injury claim against any party responsible for it. A good Waterloo spine injury attorney can help by handling the insurance claim after a serious car crash.