What happened on U.S. 30
Two people were injured shortly after 8:30 a.m. on Thursday, September 3, 2026, in a three-vehicle crash on eastbound U.S. 30 near Flaugh Road in west Allen County. The crash was reported by InkFreeNews[1], WRTV[2], and WISH-TV[3].
According to InkFreeNews, Indiana State Police said a white Dodge Sprinter van approached a line of stopped traffic near Flaugh Road, failed to stop, and struck the rear of the stopped vehicles. The van was driven by Cheryl Montana, 73, of Larwill. Montana and Jailan Hedgecock, 30, of Fort Wayne, who was driving a black Ram pickup, were both injured and taken to local hospitals.
Christian Nichols, 25, of Springville, Alabama, was driving a white Chevrolet and was not reported injured. No source named the hospitals.
Indiana State Police is the primary investigating agency. The Allen County Sheriff’s Department and West Central Fire Department assisted. U.S. 30 east of Flaugh Road was closed for nearly two hours. The investigation is ongoing, and no citations or arrests were reported.
What injured people should do next
If you were hurt in this crash or one like it, get evaluated by a doctor even if you felt able to leave the scene. Keep a clear record of your care, because insurers may question a treatment delay. You can find more practical guidance in this explanation of the first 72 hours after a Fort Wayne car accident.
Ask Indiana State Police for the crash report number and request a copy when it becomes available. Write down what you remember, including where traffic was stopped, how long it had been stopped, and what you saw in your mirrors. The firm’s guide explains how to obtain an Indiana crash report.
Photograph the vehicles, roadway, and your injuries. Keep damaged property, bills, mileage records, and records of missed work. These materials can help document what happened and the losses connected to the crash.
Be careful about giving a recorded statement to another driver’s insurance company before you understand your injuries. An insurer may use an early statement to dispute a claim. This guide discusses what to consider when an insurance adjuster requests a recorded statement or medical release.
Why the Allen County location matters
A civil case arising from this Allen County crash would ordinarily be filed in the Allen County courts. The Indiana State Police report would also be an important part of the file, although a police report does not determine civil liability.
Most Indiana personal injury lawsuits must be filed within two years of the injury under Indiana Code 34-11-2-4[4]. A claim from a September 3, 2026 crash would ordinarily need to be filed on or about September 3, 2028. Missing the applicable deadline can end a claim.
Indiana uses modified comparative fault. Under Indiana Code 34-51-2-6[5], an injured person whose fault is greater than 50 percent recovers nothing. Otherwise, the recovery is reduced by that person’s percentage of fault. Insurers may aggressively contest how a crash happened, so vehicle positions and evidence showing how long traffic had been stopped can matter. A Fort Wayne rear-end accident attorney can review that evidence and explain how the rule may apply.
Claims against government entities can have shorter notice requirements. Indiana Code 34-13-3-8[6] generally requires notice within 180 days for a claim against a political subdivision, while Indiana Code 34-13-3-6[7] generally requires notice within 270 days for a claim against the State. Nothing reported here suggests that a government vehicle was involved.
Indiana’s minimum auto liability limits are $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for bodily injury, plus $25,000 for property damage, under Indiana Code 9-25-4-5[8]. When more than one person is injured, available limits may be divided among multiple claims. Indiana insurers must offer uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage under Indiana Code 27-7-5-2[9], and that coverage may provide another source of recovery depending on the policy.
How Delventhal Law Office can help
Delventhal Law Office, LLC is a Fort Wayne personal injury law firm founded by attorney Chad E. Delventhal in 2009. The firm can review the crash report, identify potentially applicable insurance policies, preserve important evidence, and explain your options and deadlines in plain language.
If you or a family member was injured in an Allen County crash, you can request a free case evaluation.
This post is based on public reporting, the investigation may be ongoing, and nothing here is legal advice or creates an attorney-client relationship.
