DeKalb County, IN (August 17, 2026) – The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office says a 17-year-old girl was hospitalized Monday evening after a crash involving three pickup trucks near Laotto.
The crash happened on the evening of August 17 on State Road 3 at County Road 68.
Investigators determined the teen, who was not named in the release because of her age, was driving on State Road 3 and began turning onto County Road 68 when an oncoming pickup truck collided with her vehicle.
The driver of the oncoming truck told investigators he could not stop in time. A witness told police the teen pulled out in front of him.
The impact pushed both trucks into a third pickup. The teen, who is from Leo, was taken to a hospital. The extent of her injuries was not known at the time of the release.
Her truck was totaled. The other two drivers were not hurt, and there were no passengers in any of the three vehicles.
This is a developing story. Details may change as the investigation continues.
Car Accidents in Indiana
When two drivers give different accounts of a crash, fault is not always as clear as it first appears. Indiana follows a modified comparative fault rule, so an injured driver can still recover damages if she is found less than 51% at fault (IC 34-51-2-6).
- Continue medical follow-up even after an ER visit, since injuries from this kind of impact are not always obvious right away
- Avoid giving a recorded statement to any insurance company before speaking with an attorney
- Preserve the vehicles, photos of the intersection, and contact information for the witness before memories fade
- Do not accept a settlement or sign a fault admission before an attorney reviews both drivers’ accounts
Indiana generally allows two years from the date of a crash to file a personal injury claim (IC 34-11-2-4), which would set the deadline at August 17, 2028. Because the teen is a minor, Indiana law typically extends that window until two years after she turns 18.
Contact Our Indiana Car Accident Attorneys
Not knowing how badly your daughter is hurt, while hearing two different stories about what caused the crash, is a hard place for any parent to be.
Langer & Langer has helped Indiana families sort out conflicting accounts after intersection crashes, and our Indiana car accident lawyer team can start gathering evidence while it is still fresh.
The witness statement, any dashcam or doorbell footage nearby, and the trucks themselves should be preserved before they are repaired, sold, or forgotten.
We work on contingency, so there is nothing to pay upfront and nothing owed unless we recover for your family.
Why Indiana families trust Langer & Langer:
- Founded 1980, over 45 years serving Indiana families
- 100+ years of combined legal experience
- Recognized by Super Lawyers, Best Lawyers, Indiana Trial Lawyers Association, American College of Trial Lawyers
