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.
The Wake Forest Demon Deacons are one of the best stories in college football. Led by Jake Dickert, they have become one of the most formidable teams in the country, capable of beating anyone in the ACC this season.
This week, though, they don’t have to worry about another conference opponent, and instead will turn their focus to the Delaware Blue Hens for their final non-conference game of the season. In what will be an emotional senior day, the Demon Deacons will look to end their final home game on a high note.
So what do the stats say about the Demon Deacons’ chances to end their final home game with a dominant win?
For the Demon Deacons, the defense has been the story of the season. Finding a way to combine talented transfer portal acquisitions with veterans who have been within the program and have the experience needed to give them one of the most lethal defenses, not just in the conference, but in the country as well.
Now, for the Deacs, they get to face a Blue Hens offense that will test strength against strength. They come in with a pass-happy offense, willing to throw the ball, and having to, because of their struggles in the run game. They rank ninth in pass play percentage (58.41), sixth in passes per game (42.4), and fourth in passing yards per game (310.9). Their biggest struggle in the passing game is important, though. They rank 86th in FBS in completion percentage, finding a connection with their receivers only 60.47 percent of the time.
That will play right into the hands of head coach Jake Dickert, whose defense is 13th in the country in opponent completion percentage at a 56.39 percent success rate. They also keep everything in front of them, ranking fourth in the country in yards per pass, forcing their opponents to average only 5.5 yards per attempt. The one knock on the stellar defensive play is their inability to cause havoc, ranked in the 100s in interception percentage and sack percentage.
Finding a way to fight off the pass will be the key in this one, with the Blue Hens showing an inability to run the ball effectively, ranking 100th or worse in yards per rushing attempt and rushing yards per game. Keeping the ball in front of them, and proving to be a ‘no fly zone’ should benefit them, and aid them in yet another win this season.
From Delco to Chesco and Montco to Bucks, what about life in Philly’s suburbs do you want WHYY News to cover? Let us know!
The head of a Delaware County advocacy group has been charged with using opioid settlement funds to coerce sexual favors from women experiencing addiction.
Delaware County District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer charged Lawrence Arata, executive director of the Opioid Crisis Action Network, with human trafficking, patronizing prostitutes, obstruction of justice and witness intimidation.
“Our investigation concluded that Larry Arata cynically and cruelly misused those funds as leverage to satisfy his sexual desires,” Stollsteimer said in a statement.
Arata turned himself in on Wednesday to the district attorney’s Criminal Investigation Division and later posted bail. No attorney was listed for Arata in online court records and he did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The Opioid Crisis Action Network did not respond to a request for comment.
Lawrence Arata, 65, founded the Upper Darby-based organization in 2018 with his wife, Heather Arata, shortly after their son died from a heroin overdose. The Opioid Crisis Action Network pays for treatment and housing for people with substance use disorder.
The organization was a recipient of opioid settlement money from Delaware County as well as the Pennsylvania Opioid Misuse and Addiction Abatement Trust, Stollsteimer said. The Criminal Investigation Division, in collaboration with the Upper Darby Police Department, initiated a joint investigation into Arata after receiving complaints.
“The allegations revolve around Arata receiving sexual favors from clients who are in recovery for drug addictions in exchange for program benefits such as meal credits, gift cards, bus passes, money, rental assistance, and the like,” the affidavit of probable cause reads.
Delaware
State Police Investigating Fatal Pedestrian Crash in Clayton – Delaware State Police – State of Delaware
The Delaware State Police are investigating a fatal pedestrian crash that occurred this morning in Clayton.
On November 18, 2025, at approximately 10:20 a.m., a Chevrolet Silverado was traveling southbound on Wheatley’s Pond Road near Bryn Zion Road. At the same time, a pedestrian was walking southbound on Wheatley’s Pond Road near Bryn Zion Road, in the southbound shoulder, with his bicycle. The preliminary investigation revealed that the Silverado exited the southbound lane of travel and as a result, struck the pedestrian within the shoulder.
The pedestrian, a 19-year-old man from Clayton, Delaware, was pronounced dead at the scene. His name is being withheld until his family is notified.
The driver of the Silverado, a 64-year-old man from Smyrna, Delaware, was not injured.
Wheatley’s Pond Road was closed for approximately 3 hours while the scene was investigated and cleared.
The Delaware State Police Troop 3 Collision Reconstruction Unit continues to investigate this crash. Troopers ask anyone who witnessed the crash or has relevant information to contact Master Corporal W. Booth at (302) 698-8451. Information may also be provided by sending a private Facebook message to the Delaware State Police or contacting Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-847-3333.
If you or someone you know is a victim or witness of a crime or have lost a loved one to a sudden death and need assistance, the Delaware State Police Victim Services Unit / Delaware Victim Center is available to offer you support and resources 24 hours a day through a toll-free hotline at 1-800-VICTIM-1 (1-800-842-8461). You may also email the Victim Services Unit at DSP_VictimServicesMail@delaware.gov.
View All News Posts
See the Easy Chair Workouts Helped These 4 Women Lose a Combined 362 Lbs Without Joint Pain
Thanksgiving 2025 Hot Takes
Grok’s Elon Musk worship is getting weird
Lawmakers sound alarm on ‘deadliest place on earth to be a Christian’ as Nigeria violence escalates
Missouri attorney general takes new legal aim at mail-order abortion pills over safety concerns
Florida High School Football Rankings: Top 25 teams – Oct. 21
Cleary's 21 help Le Moyne down Central Connecticut State 69-64 in OT
How old is Bo Nix? What to know about Oregon quarterback ahead of 2024 NFL Draft
99th annual Pony Swim held in Virginia
Video: ‘It Didn’t Have to Happen This Way:’ U.Va. Faculty Call for Review of Police Response to Protests
Missouri attorney general takes new legal aim at mail-order abortion pills over safety concerns
US judge orders end to Trump’s deployment of troops in Washington, DC
Analysis: Why Democrats are warning about Trump giving illegal orders | CNN Politics
How to Fix a Typewriter and Your Life
Federal judge allows Texas AG to challenge Harris County bail reforms: ‘Unleashing criminals’
-
Vermont1 week agoNorthern Lights to dazzle skies across these US states tonight – from Washington to Vermont to Maine | Today News
-
West Virginia1 week ago
Search for coal miner trapped in flooded West Virginia mine continues for third day
-
Education1 week agoVideo: Justice Dept. Says It Will Investigate U.C. Berkeley Protest
-
Culture1 week agoTest Yourself on the Settings Mentioned in These Novels About Road Trips
-
Business1 week agoDeveloper plans to add a hotel and hundreds of residences to L.A. Live
-
World1 week ago
The deadly car explosion in New Delhi is being investigated under an anti-terrorism law
-
Business4 days agoFire survivors can use this new portal to rebuild faster and save money
-
Southwest1 week agoFury erupts after accused teen sex predator dodges prison; families swarm courthouse demanding judge’s head
