Delaware
Indy man gets 24 years for role in Delaware County crash that killed Fort Wayne couple
MUNCIE, Ind. — An Indianapolis man who was drunk when he caused a fatal head-on crash on Interstate 69 in Delaware County was sentenced Monday to 24 years in prison.
Walter Saucedo-Mendoza — who will observe his 32nd birthday this week — had pleaded guilty in Delaware Circuit Court 1 to two counts of causing death while driving while intoxicated and a single count of criminal recklessness.
According to Indiana State Police, Saucedo-Mendoza’s Kia Forte was traveling northbound in the interstate’s southbound lanes on Nov. 12, 2023, when it collided head-on with a southbound Chevrolet Malibu driven by Victoria Elaine Cox, 32, of Fort Wayne.
Cox and her husband, Evan Daniel Cox, 26, were pronounced dead at the scene, near the 234-mile marker and the Indiana 32/67 interchange in Daleville.
Authorities said Saucedo-Mendoza’s blood-alcohol content was measured at 0.186 soon after the collision. In Indiana, a motorist with a BAC of 0.08 or higher is considered intoxicated.
State police said the Indianapolis man’s car was traveling at 88 mph at the time of the crash.
At Monday’s hearing, Judge Judi Calhoun imposed a pair of 11-year sentences, to be served consecutively, for Saucedo-Mendoza’s DWI convictions.
He received a two-year sentence, also to be served consecutively, for the criminal recklessness conviction, which stemmed from damage sustained by a third vehicle.
Calhoun said she took exception to references to the interstate crash as an “accident.”
“This wasn’t an accident,” the judge said. “It was a crime.”
Calhoun said Saucedo-Mendoza made decisions both to become intoxicated and to then drive.
She said the “carnage and destruction” from his actions would “never be forgotten.”
Deputy prosecutor Steve Sneed recommended that the Indianapolis man receive a maximum sentence of 26 years and six months in prison.
He said Saucedo-Mendoza’s crimes had taken “two wonderful, amazing, truly gifted individuals from this Earth.”
According to Sneed, the Indianapolis man began his wrong-way trip up the interstate’s southbound lanes in Hamilton County and traveled through Madison County before his deadly encounter with the Fort Wayne couple near Daleville.
Four witnesses — the parents of both crash victims — testified about the devastating impact the couple’s deaths had on both family and friends.
Angela Schaefer, Victoria Cox’s mother, urged Calhoun to “please send a message to society” in sentencing Saucedo-Mendoza.
“He snuffed out one of the brightest lights who ever walked this Earth,” she said of her late daughter.
Evan Cox’s father, Dobie, also urged the judge to send “a message that says choosing to get behind the wheel impaired … will not be tolerated.”
Saucedo-Mendoza said he was “extremely remorseful for my actions.”
He indicated he was contending with personal problems at the time of the crash and maintained he had not consumed alcohol since that time. He also said he since had undergone counseling and attended Alcoholics Anonymous meetings.
“I understand there are no excuses for what happened,” he said, also noting that he was seriously injured in the collision.
His defense attorney recommended the Indianapolis man receive a 10-year sentence.
Douglas Walker is a news reporter at The Star Press. Contact him at 765-213-5851 or at dwalker@muncie.gannett.com.
Delaware
PennDOT, hardware stores prepare for first snow of season in Delaware Valley
PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) — Crews and customers across the Delaware Valley are gearing up for the region’s first accumulating snowfall of the season, expected late Saturday into Sunday morning.
PennDOT says it has more than 100,000 tons of salt ready and plans to deploy over 400 trucks across the region for this event.
Road crews began brining operations Friday, which will continue through the weekend with plowing on Sunday.
READ MORE | Accuweather Alert: Light snow to blanket the region Saturday night into Sunday morning
“Maybe 1 to 3, maybe a little bit more depending on how the storm tracks,” said Brad Rudolph of PennDOT.
He added that timing is key with the snow beginning to fall on Saturday night, while many may be out and about, and with thousands expected to travel to Lincoln Financial Field Sunday for the Eagles game against the Raiders.
Preps underway for first snow of the season in Delaware Valley
“People are going to travel, they’re going to need to take it slow. We’re going to push back snow from travel lanes, we’ll make the roads passable. They may not be completely clear of snow and ice, something to consider,” Rudolph said. “We expect this storm to push out relatively early Sunday, well before that Eagles game, but we still might have some cleaning up to do. We’ll be working long after this snow is done.”
At Stanley’s Hardware in Roxborough, workers spent Friday unpacking boxes and moving thousands of pounds of salt and other supplies to fill commercial and individual orders.
“Our aisle is filled right now. We have tons of skids of rock salt, ice melter, shovels,” said Joe Jaconski of Stanley’s Hardware.
Customers were already stocking up.
“We have food, we have shovels, just had to get some salt just to make sure we’re keeping the sidewalks nice and safe for everyone,” said Matt Skomsky of Roxborough.
Customers were steady at Stanley’s Friday, and business is expected to pick up through the weekend, but managers say don’t wait to get ready.
“I recommend just being ahead of it. Try to beat the storm because when the storm comes, it gets very busy in here-the lines wrapped around,” Jaconski said.
PennDOT urges drivers to keep their distance from plow trucks and check the forecast before heading out.
Copyright © 2025 WPVI-TV. All Rights Reserved.
Delaware
Done Deal: 695 Delaware Avenue – Buffalo Rising
Ellicott Development has expanded it local property portfolio. Ellicott’s 4628 Group Inc. purchased 695 Delaware Avenue on Wednesday for $1.025 million. Fred Kaplan Living Trust was the seller. The 8,454 sq.ft., three-story barn-like structure with mansard roofed addition is occupied by media production and marketing firm Crosswater Digital Media. It was the home of WKBW radio for a number of years. The property totals 0.4 acres in size with a large parking lot fronting Delaware Avenue.
The property is bookended by the Westbrook Apartments and Wilcox House apartment buildings, both ten-story structures. It sits across the street from 700 Delaware, the former Computer Task Group Building Ellicott purchased in 2018 and is now occupied by the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation.
Delaware
Man, 77, dies after collision with teen driver near Hartly, police say
What to do if you come across a serious car accident
What to do if you come across a serious car accident
A 77-year-old man died following a two-car crash near Hartly on the morning of Dec. 10, Delaware State Police said.
The man, from the Dover area, has not been identified by police pending family notification.
According to police reports, the man was driving a Honda Accord east on Judith Road approaching Hartly Road about 9 a.m., as an 18-year-old woman was driving a Ford Focus south on Hartly Road approaching Judith Road.
Police reported that a preliminary investigation shows the Honda moved from the stop sign into the Ford’s path, causing a collision.
The man was pronounced dead at the scene. The woman, from Hartly, was treated at the scene. Police said she refused to be taken to a hospital.
Send tips or story ideas to Esteban Parra at (302) 324-2299 or eparra@delawareonline.com.
-
Alaska7 days agoHowling Mat-Su winds leave thousands without power
-
Texas7 days agoTexas Tech football vs BYU live updates, start time, TV channel for Big 12 title
-
Ohio1 week ago
Who do the Ohio State Buckeyes hire as the next offensive coordinator?
-
Washington4 days agoLIVE UPDATES: Mudslide, road closures across Western Washington
-
Iowa6 days agoMatt Campbell reportedly bringing longtime Iowa State staffer to Penn State as 1st hire
-
Miami, FL6 days agoUrban Meyer, Brady Quinn get in heated exchange during Alabama, Notre Dame, Miami CFP discussion
-
Cleveland, OH5 days agoMan shot, killed at downtown Cleveland nightclub: EMS
-
World5 days ago
Chiefs’ offensive line woes deepen as Wanya Morris exits with knee injury against Texans

