Fatal crash victim identified

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) - The Allen County Coroner has released information on a fatal crash.

News Release from Coroner:

Monday, March 2, 2009

Emergency personnel were summoned to the 8700 block of Lima Road, Fort Wayne, Indiana, the scene of a reported personal injury traffic crash, at approximately 2:45 A.M. March 1, 2009. A male white, who had been ejected from the vehicle he had been driving, was transported in critical condition to Parkview Hospital. He was pronounced dead a short time after medics arrived. An autopsy was performed yesterday at the Northeast Indiana Forensic Center. The decdent is identified as James D. Caudill, 44, of Edon Indiana.

Preliminary autopsy findings are:

Cause of death: Blunt force trauma due to motor vehicle crash
Manner of death: Accident (4th traffic fatality for Fort Wayne and Allen County in 2009)

The accident remains under investigation by the Fort Wayne Police Department, the Allen County Coroner's office, the F.A.C.T. Team, and the Allen County Prosecutor's office.

Earlier information:

NewsChannel 15 has learned a vehicle involved in that crash left the scene. Police caught up with that vehicle just north of Lima and Wallen Roads. An officer arrested the driver on a preliminary charge of operating while intoxicated.