Tippecanoe County was rocked by a string of deadly crashes this week as winter weather and highway congestion turned routine drives into heartbreak for several families. In the span of just a few days, three separate collisions claimed the lives of three people and left investigators searching for answers.
The first fatal incident happened before sunrise on Saturday, January 17, on the Hoosier Heartland Highway near County Road 700 North. Rosana Fortune, 60, of Indianapolis, was a back-seat passenger when the northbound car she was in lost traction on icy pavement. The vehicle spun, was struck by another car, and then shoved into the path of a northbound semi-truck. Fortune suffered fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.
Just three days later, the interstate brought more sorrow. Around 3:15 p.m. Tuesday, January 20, 48-year-old Joshua Painter of Battle Ground was driving his pickup south on Interstate 65 near the Indiana 25 exit when his truck veered out of control, entered the median, hit a guardrail and rolled over. Emergency responders pronounced Painter dead at the crash site as state police began their investigation.
Not far behind that crash, another fatal collision unfolded minutes later along the same stretch of I-65. At about 3:45 p.m., 52-year-old Richard Newlin of Indianapolis was at the wheel of a northbound semi-truck when he failed to see traffic slowing ahead. His truck collided with the back of a stopped semi-trailer, killing him at the scene. State police and the Tippecanoe County Coroner’s Office are working to confirm all contributing factors.
Local law enforcement and emergency teams responded swiftly to each incident, closing lanes, treating survivors and securing crash sites. Officials have emphasized that icy road conditions and sudden slowdowns on rural roads and interstates can quickly turn dangerous, urging drivers to adjust speeds and stay alert in winter weather.
The coroner’s office has scheduled autopsies for both Painter and Newlin to help establish the official cause of death and better understand the circumstances leading up to the crashes. Investigators are also looking at road conditions, vehicle performance and driver actions in all three tragedies.
Community members have expressed deep sadness over the losses, and local officials are offering support to families affected by the crashes. Many neighbors have shared stories of the victims’ kindness and the shock of losing loved ones so suddenly on roads they travel every day.
These events serve as a sobering reminder of how unforgiving winter travel can be and the importance of caution behind the wheel. Authorities say more information will be released as investigations continue and urge everyone to take extra care when roadways are icy, congested or visibility is poor.
