FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WLKI)- One driver died and another was seriously injured Wednesday afternoon in a wrong-way crash on Interstate 469 in northeastern Allen County.
According to the Allen County Sheriff's Department, officers and medics were called shortly after 1:30 p.m. to southbound I-469 near the 26-mile marker.
A preliminary investigation indicates that a black Jeep Wrangler was traveling north in the southbound lanes of the interstate.
The Jeep collided head-on with a white RAM ProMaster 2500 work van traveling south.
The driver of the work van was taken to a hospital in critical condition and later died from injuries sustained in the crash.
The Jeep's driver was also taken to a hospital with serious injuries. Authorities have not released either driver's identity.
Investigators believe the Jeep entered I-469 from Interstate 69 and began traveling against traffic before the collision.
The sheriff's department issued a public-safety alert shortly before 2 p.m., asking motorists to avoid southbound I-469 near the 26-mile marker.
The crash and emergency response caused a significant traffic backup in the area. Construction was also underway along that section of the interstate.
Southbound traffic was temporarily stopped near Maplecrest and St. Joe roads while emergency crews treated the drivers, investigated the collision and cleared the roadway.
All affected lanes have since reopened.
Authorities have not determined why the Jeep entered the interstate in the wrong direction. It also remains unknown whether alcohol or another form of impairment contributed to the crash.
The collision remains under investigation by the Allen County Sheriff's Department.