A 17-year-old Fort Wayne teen has died following a serious two-vehicle crash Thursday night at a busy city intersection, marking Allen County’s first traffic fatality of the year. Authorities say the collision happened at the intersection of Anthony Boulevard and Gardendale Avenue, drawing a large emergency response and prompting an extensive investigation.
The Allen County Coroner’s Office identified the victim as Bay Lar, 17, of Fort Wayne. In a news release issued late Friday morning, the coroner said Lar died from blunt force injuries to the head and torso caused by the motor vehicle crash. Lar was initially transported to a local hospital in critical condition but later succumbed to the injuries.
Police, firefighters, and medics were dispatched to the scene at approximately 9:57 p.m. Thursday after reports of a serious crash. When first responders arrived, they found two heavily damaged vehicles at the intersection. Each vehicle had two occupants, according to early statements from the Fort Wayne Police Department.
Preliminary information indicates that one vehicle was traveling northbound on Anthony Boulevard while the second vehicle was heading southbound. Investigators believe the crash occurred as one of the vehicles attempted to make a turn onto Gardendale Avenue. The exact sequence of events leading up to the collision has not yet been confirmed.
All four occupants involved in the crash were injured and transported to a local hospital for treatment. One of the injured individuals, later identified as Lar, was a minor and was listed in life-threatening condition upon arrival. Despite medical efforts, Lar was pronounced dead at the hospital. Authorities confirmed that the teen’s next of kin has been notified.
The crash remains under active investigation. Members of the Fort Wayne Fatal Accident Crash Team are working to reconstruct the collision in an effort to determine contributing factors, such as speed, driver behavior, or road conditions. The Fort Wayne Police Department Air Support Unit and the Allen County Coroner’s Office are also assisting with the investigation. Police have not indicated whether alcohol, drugs, or charges are factors at this time, and additional details are expected to be released as the investigation continues.
