Child Killed, Tow Operator and 3 others in Critical Condition (IN) UPDATED 10.24.19

[TowNews]

Child killed, 4 others fighting for their lives after van, tow truck crash

 

A child was killed and four other people were critically injured Sunday afternoon in a crash at the intersection of O'Day and Washington Center roads.

 

Allen County sheriff's deputies were called to the area around 1 p.m. and found a tow truck had been traveling east on Washington Center when it struck a van carrying six people. The van had been traveling south on O'Day, according to a news release. 

 

The child in the van was ejected from the vehicle, and three others in the van were taken to the hospital in critical condition. Two others in the van also were treated for minor injuries. 

 

The driver of the tow truck also was in critical condition, the news release states.  

 

RESOURCE LINK

 

Coroner IDs 2 victims of Sunday crash

 

Two people killed as a result of a crash Sunday afternoon at the intersection of O'Day and Washington Center roads have been identified, the Allen County coroner announced Monday.

 

The victims are Stefany Barrios-Salazar, 9, and Magali Salazar-Castillo, 32. According to the coroner, 31 people have died in vehicle crashes this year in Allen County. 

 

According to police, Allen County sheriff's officers were called to the intersection about 1 p.m. Sunday and found a tow truck had been traveling east on Washington Center Road when it struck a van heading south on O'Day that was carrying six people. 

 

Stefany was thrown from the van and three other occupants were in critical condition. Stefany and Salazar-Castillo, who died later after being transported to a hospital, were killed by blunt force injuries. The tow truck driver was in critical condition Sunday.

 

RESOURCE LINK

 

Woman, child die when van hits oncoming tow truck

 

 

 

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) — A woman and child were killed and three others badly hurt in a crash involving a tow truck in western Allen County on Sunday afternoon.

 

According to the Allen County Sheriff’s Department, a van carrying six people failed to stop at the intersection of O Day Road and Washington Center Road shortly after 1 p.m. Sunday. As a result, the van slammed into an oncoming tow truck.

 

The Department says a child was ejected from the van and was pronounced dead at the scene. The Allen County Coroner’s Office said 9-year-old Stefany Barrios-Salazar died of blunt force injuries due to a motor vehicle crash.

 

The tow truck driver and three other people from the van were transported to a local hospital in critical condition. One of them – 32-year-old Magali Salazar-Castillo of Fort Wayne – died late Sunday, the coroner’s office said.

 

Two other occupants of the van were also transported to the hospital with minor injuries.

 

The crash remains under investigation by the Allen County Sheriff’s Department.

 

RESOURCE LINK with video

 

[Steve Catlett]

Very tragic

[horsehaulin]

I can confirm the story, our driver is now responding but still in surgical/trauma ICU. I can’t list any details due to the ongoing investigation, but so far the positive is that he started to point to where he is hurting around midnight last night.

[Doreen ur Finance Lady]

Praying for all involved.

[mooresbp]

Our thoughts and prayers go out.

[rreschran]

These news reports are never easily to read. Christine and I are sending our prayers with hopes for a full recovery. Keep us updated OK?     R.

[TowZone]

While it does not make the loss of life or the critically injured truck driver an easier to except. The statement made by the  the Allen County Sheriff’s Department does shed light on who was at fault.

 

"A van carrying six people failed to stop at the intersection of O Day Road and Washington Center Road shortly after 1 p.m. Sunday. As a result, the van slammed into an oncoming tow truck."

 

We'll do our best to update the story as the investigation continues as well as await the Tow Truck Drivers status as well as his name.

 

Thank you horsehaulin from Blue Eagle Towing for bringing us the information you have. May the TowForce be with him! By the Video we now know just how violent the accident was and your driver remains in our Thoughts and Prayers!

[rreschran]

 There's nothing that the tower could have done to prevent someone from allegedly running the stop sign ... but I'm sure the tower will be blamed for something. I feel really bad for the tow operator, but feel worse for the father and husband whose family members were killed as the result of his failing to stop. How horrible.    R.

[TowZone]

I feel bad that the number of drivers operating with unrestrained passengers especially children continues to increase.

[Steve Catlett]

So many people are affected in a tragedy like this I hope the driver of the tow truck doesn’t blame himself for this accident. My prayers for all involved.

[rreschran]

... talk about a candidate for PTSD trauma counseling, incidents like this aren't typically recognized by those in the industry. I'm hoping his company and the company's insurance provider will step-up and offer their help if the tower needs it.    R.

[Moose]

What Tragic and avoidable accident. The report say the mini van ran the stop. it had to be moving at a high rate of speed to turn over the flatbed and continue on that far. I hope the tow driver fully recovers.

[horsehaulin]

A gofundme has been started for him and his 7 month pregnant fiancé. 
 

https://www.gofundme.com/f/for-jeff-and-lexi?utm_source=facebook

[horsehaulin]

He's started to open his eyes and move his hands a little but its still a very long road ahead. Doctors are slowly taking him off sedatives, so we will see how he is later this week. Jeff was supposed to get a brain scan yesterday but I think its being held off until tomorrow.

[Doreen ur Finance Lady]

Keeping him in our prayers

[mooresbp]

Please keep us updated on his condition. Thank you

[horsehaulin]

Driver had two spinal fusions and is now sitting up but still not breathing on his own. Brain swelling is all but gone now we’re just waiting for the infection in his lung to pass and a pin hole in the lung to close up and he should be able to talk and doctors will have an idea of how severe the brain injury is.

[Steve Catlett]

I hope your driver makes a full recovery 

[Doreen ur Finance Lady]

we will continue to keep him in our prayers.  Thank you for keeping us posted

[yoBdaBenO]

Keeping Jeff in our thoughts and praying for a full recovery. Sounds like there's still a long road ahead.