News Release

WHITLEY COUNTY —Two persons are dead and four others injured as a result of a crash at SR 9 and CR 500N in Whitley County, Tuesday, July 29.

Helmin Anialka Ruiz, 35, Huntington and Trinidad Vasquez, 40, Fort Wayne, have been identified by the Whitley County Coroner as the two persons who died in the crash. Their cause of death was due to multiple blunt force injuries caused in the crash.

Those transported to a local hospital for medical treatment to injuries that range from minor to sever are: Jeremias Vazquez, 20, Rolando Garcia, 35; Jose Mena, 59; and Auara Solano, 31, all of Huntington

Troopers from the Indiana State Police Fort Wayne Post responded to a crash at 2:40 p.m. Tuesday.

A preliminary investigation shows a blue 2012 Dodge Avenger passenger car carrying six people was traveling south on SR 9 near CR 500N when for an unknown reason, it crossed over the center line into the northbound lane. After crossing the center line, the car hit a black 2019 Ford F-350 pickup truck and trailer that was in the northbound lane.

The 2019 Ford was driven by JD Fishburn, 51, of Columbia City. Ruez was identified as the driver of the blue Dodge, Vasquez was a passenger in the Ruiz driven vehicle. The four injured were passengers of the blue Dodge.

This crash is still under investigation and there is no further information to be released at this time.

According to the Whitley County Coronor’s office Vasques was a rear driver’s side passenger. He was removed from the vehicle and resuscitation efforts were attempted for approximately 20 minutes by Parkview EMS, before being proncounced dead at the scene. Ruiz, was also pronounced dead at the scene.

The Indiana State Police Troopers were assisted by the Whitley County Sheriff’s Department, Whitley County Coroner, Thorn Creek Township Fire Department, Columbia City Fire Department, Parkview EMS and Samaritan, and All-Pro and Smith Brothers towing.