On June 3, 2026, at approximately 1:54 p.m., officers with the Allen County Sheriff’s Department responded to the area of southbound I-69, near the 295 mile marker, for a report of a multi-vehicle crash.
Upon arrival, officers located multiple vehicles involved in a rear-end crash, including a SUV, passenger van, passenger car and three semi trucks.
A preliminary investigation indicates southbound semi truck #1 rear-ended a SUV, which was stopped in traffic, forcing the SUV off the roadway to the West. Semi truck #1 continued and rear-ended a passenger van and semi truck #2. Semi truck #2 was forced southbound and rear-ended a passenger car, which rear-ended semi truck #3.
Drivers of the SUV and the passenger van were pronounced deceased at the scene. The driver of semi truck #1 and front passenger of the SUV were transported to a local hospital in stable condition.
The driver of semi truck #1 was Gjergj Degaj, 70, of Michigan.
The driver of the SUV was Drew Saddington (deceased), 15, of Indiana. Anthony Deherreia, 27, of Indiana, was seated in the front-passenger seat.
The driver the passenger van was Bradley Maller (deceased), 70, of Indiana.
The driver of semi truck #2 was Ayad Torani, 36, of Michigan.
The driver of the passenger car was Daniel Blankenship, 57, of Indiana. Daniel Blankenship, 37, of Indiana, was seated in the front-passenger seat.
The driver of semi truck #3 was Henry Poudag, 57, of Michigan.
According to officers on scene, southbound I-69 at the 296 mile marker will be shut down until at least 8:00 p.m.
