Fort Wayne, IN (July 15, 2026) – The Allen County Coroner’s Office announced Friday that an 84-year-old woman died after a three-car crash earlier this week. The collision happened Wednesday, July 15, near the intersection of Tonkel Road and State Road 1, just northeast of Fort Wayne city limits. The coroner identified the woman as Susan Hoffman from Fort Wayne.
According to details released Friday by the Allen County Sheriff’s Department, Hoffman was turning onto Tonkel Road from Oak Valley Place when her car collided with an oncoming SUV. The SUV then crashed into a third car that was stopped in a turn lane.
Hoffman and the driver of the SUV were both listed in non-life-threatening condition on the way to a hospital. Hoffman’s condition got worse, however, and she was pronounced dead after arriving at the hospital.
The coroner determined Hoffman’s cause of death was multiple blunt impact injuries from the crash. Her manner of death was ruled an accident, which is the standard ruling for crashes.
The fatal collision is still under investigation.
The days after a fatal crash bring paperwork, insurance calls, and questions no family is prepared for, all while the official investigation is still open. Others involved in a multi-vehicle collision face their own recovery and uncertainty. Here is what Indiana law says about what comes next.
What to Do After a Fatal Multi-Vehicle Crash in Indiana
Can a family take legal action while the crash is still under investigation?
Yes. The sheriff’s department investigation and a civil claim run on separate tracks. Families do not have to wait for final findings to speak with an attorney. Acting early protects the crash report, vehicle evidence, and witness accounts before they disappear.
What if fault is disputed or shared?
Indiana follows a modified comparative fault rule. Compensation is generally still available as long as the injured person, or the person who died, was less than 51% at fault. Fault percentages are decided by evidence, not by an insurer’s first assessment of a crash that is still under investigation.
What can a wrongful death claim cover?
- Medical and hospital bills from the final injury
- Funeral and burial expenses
- Loss of love, care, and companionship for surviving family members
Indiana applies different wrongful death rules depending on whether the person who died left a surviving spouse or dependents. An attorney can explain which statute applies and what it allows your family to recover.
What is the deadline to file?
Wrongful death claims in Indiana must generally be filed within two years of the date of death (IC 34-23-1-1). For a crash that occurred on July 15, 2026, that deadline generally falls in July 2028. Anyone else injured in this collision generally has two years from the crash date, until July 15, 2028, to file a personal injury claim (IC 34-11-2-4).
Contact Our Indiana Wrongful Death Attorneys
At Langer & Langer, our Indiana wrongful death attorneys have represented Hoosier families since 1980. The firm brings more than 100 years of combined legal experience to fatal intersection crashes across Indiana, including Allen County. Founding attorney Steven L. Langer also works alongside our Indiana car accident lawyer team for drivers and passengers hurt in multi-vehicle collisions.
No phone call can undo what happened on Tonkel Road. What it can do is give your family clear answers about the investigation, the insurance process, and the deadlines already running.
We handle wrongful death and serious injury cases on a contingency fee basis. There are no upfront costs and no fee unless we win.
Here is why families across Indiana choose Langer & Langer:
- Founded in 1980, with over 45 years of serving Indiana families
- 100+ years of combined legal experience
- Recognized by Super Lawyers, Best Lawyers, the Indiana Trial Lawyers Association, and the American College of Trial Lawyers
Your Family Deserves Answers. Call 219-245-5881 now.
