CORONER: Waynedale woman died in Monday’s derecho

The Allen County Coroner’s Office says a woman died in Waynedale during the derecho that swept through the area Monday night.

The coroner’s office says 89-year-old Janet Howell was inside her house in the 5400 block of Mason Drive when the storm came through and was severely cut from shattered glass. A neighbor told us a tree crashed into her home, saying it took the ambulance about an hour to get to her because of debris caused by the storm.

Fort Wayne Fire Department logs show the department had an EMS assist call to that street Monday around 11 p.m. The coroner’s office says Howell was taken to an operating room but died from her injuries.

Howell’s death was caused by exsanguation (a severe loss of blood) from the sharp injuries caused by the shattered glass, after an autopsy. Howell’s death has been ruled an accident by the coroner’s office.

The coroner’s office says Howell is the only person that has died from Monday’s storm in Allen County.