WHITLEY CO. – On Tuesday, July 29, 2025, at 2:40 p.m., Troopers from the Indiana State Police Fort Wayne Post responded to a crash in Whitley County. The crash happened on State Road 9 at the intersection of County Road 500 North.
A preliminary investigation shows a blue 2012 Dodge Avenger passenger car carrying six people was traveling south on State Road 9 near County Road 500 North 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. The driver of the blue Dodge, Helmin Ruiz, 17, of Huntington, has been identified by the Whitley County Coroner as one of the deceased. A passenger of the blue Dodge Avenger who did not survive the crash has also been identified by the Whitley County Coroner as Trinidad Vasquez, 40, of Fort Wayne. The family of Helmin Ruiz and Trinidad Vasquez has been notified.
The other four passengers of the blue Dodge were transported to a local hospital for medical treatment of injuries that range from minor to severe. Jeremias Vazquez, 20, Rolando Garcia, 35, Jose Mena, 59, and Auara Solano, 31, all of Huntington, were injured.
This crash is still under investigation, and there is no further information to be released at this time.
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, Samaritan, and All-Pro and Smith Brothers towing.
