Investigation finds semi was going 64 mph when it slammed into pickup near GM plant, killing passenger and dog
Dec 18, 2024
FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) An investigation into a crash that killed a passenger sitting in a pickup truck stopped at a red light near the GM plant has resulted in a request for an arrest warrant.
The crash took place on February 5, just before 2 p.m. at the intersection of Lafayette Center Road and Zubrick Road. The pickup was stopped on Lafayette Center Road for the red light when a semi slammed into the back of it. The two vehicles ended in a ditch on the north side of the road.
A passenger in the pickup, identified as Kathleen Prince, was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver, Duane Prince, was severely hurt in the crash. The family dog, and Australian Shepherd was also killed in the crash.
According to court documents filed in the case, the driver of the semi, identified as Soni C. Maniyangattu, told police he had left a truck terminal in Canada at around 5:40 a.m. and that he had taken a 30-minute break at some point during his journey. He told an officer he, "thinks he fell asleep," right before the crash.
A review of the semi's "black box" showed that Maniyangattu was going 64 mph at impact and he didn't hit the breaks until one second beforehand. The speed limit on that stretch of Lafayette Center is 50 mph.
The request for an arrest warrant for Maniyangattu on charges of reckless homicide, criminal recklessness, and criminal mischief was filed Wednesday morning in Allen County Superior/Circuit Court.