FORT WAYNE — A 45-year-old woman is facing multiple felony charges after allegedly driving while intoxicated and striking a man in an electric wheelchair on Coliseum Boulevard late Monday evening.
Kandice Baker, 45, was arrested following the crash and charged with operating a vehicle while intoxicated causing death, a Level 4 felony, and possession of meth, a Level 6 felony.
The fatal collision occurred around 10:00 p.m. on Monday, September 7, 2026, along West Coliseum Boulevard near Goshen Road.
According to investigators with the Fort Wayne Police Department, Baker was driving an SUV westbound on Coliseum Boulevard when her vehicle struck a man operating an electric-powered wheelchair from behind while he was traveling in the roadway.
Emergency responders, including officers with the Fort Wayne Police Department, firefighters, and medics, rushed to the scene and performed lifesaving measures on the victim. Despite their efforts, the man was pronounced dead a short time later.
Authorities have not yet released the identity or age of the victim, pending formal identification and notification of kin by the Allen County Coroner’s Office.
West Coliseum Boulevard was closed to traffic for several hours overnight while the Fort Wayne Police Department’s Fatal Accident Crash Team (FACT) and the Air Support Unit processed the crash scene and documented evidence.
Preliminary findings indicate that the SUV suffered visible front-end damage from the impact. Investigators noted that speed is not currently believed to be a contributing factor in the collision.
Under Indiana law:
- OWI Causing Death (IC 9-30-5-5): Classified as a Level 4 felony, carrying a statutory penalty of 2 to 12 years in prison and fines up to $10,000 upon conviction.
- Possession of Methamphetamine (IC 35-48-4-6.1): Charged as a Level 6 felony for quantities under 5 grams, carrying a sentence ranging from 6 months to 2.5 years in prison.
Baker was booked into custody as the Allen County Prosecutor’s Office reviews the case for formal court proceedings. The crash investigation remains active and ongoing.
Those facing criminal charges are considered innocent until proven guilty through a fair and due legal process. Accusations alone do not imply guilt; the judicial system will evaluate the presented evidence to reach a verdict.
