STEUBEN CO., Ind. (ADAMS) – The Steuben County Sheriff’s Office says that one man is in critical condition after being hit by an SUV Sunday morning.
According to a press release, officers responded after receiving calls of a crash involving a pedestrian on SR 127 just north of CR 275 N at 1:30 a.m.
Officers found 29-year-old, Mason L. Aelker, of Payson lying in the southbound lanes suffering from a head injury. The Utah man was taken to a local hospital and then flown, to Parkview Regional Medical Center with critical injuries.
Police say that 53-year-old John R. Reuille of Fort Wayne, was heading southbound slowing down to turn west onto CR 275 N. Aelker was walking southbound near the center lane, according ot police. Reuille attempted to swerve to avoid Aelker, but struck him with the right front of his vehicle.
Reuille voluntarily submitted to a blood test for alcohol and narcotics.
The Steuben County Sheriff’s Office released the following:
On Sunday May 26, 2024 at approximately 1:30 AM the Steuben County Sheriff’s Office responded to SR 127 just North of CR 275 N reference a motor vehicle crash involving a pedestrian. The initial officers on scene located a pedestrian, later identified as Mason L. Aelker, age 29 of Payson, Utah, lying in the southbound lane of SR 127 suffering from a head injury. The officers identified John R. Reuille, age 53 of Fort Wayne, Indiana, as the driver of the vehicle which struck Aelker. The Steuben County Fatal Alcohol Crash Team (FACT) was activated to investigate the crash. FACT consists of investigators from the Steuben County Sheriff’s Office and Angola Police Department, specializing in crashes potentially involving alcohol/narcotics. During the investigation it was determined Reuille was driving a 2000 Ford Excursion, pulling an enclosed trailer southbound on SR 127. Aelker was walking south in the southbound travel lane, near the centerline. Reuille was already in the process of slowing down to turn west onto CR 275 N from SR 127 when he observed Aelker just prior to impact. Reuille attempted to swerve to avoid Aelker but struck Aelker with the right front of the vehicle. Reuille came to a stop just south of the collision. Aelker was transported by Steuben County EMS to Cameron Hospital where he was then flown by Samaritan helicopter to Parkview Regional Medical Center in critical condition. It is believed Aelker was under the influence of alcohol at the time. Reuille and two passengers in his vehicle were not injured. Reuille voluntarily submitted to a blood draw for alcohol and narcotics with the results pending. The crash remains under investigation by Steuben County FACT. Assisting the Sheriff’s Office at the scene were the Angola Police Department, Fremont Police Department, Steuben County EMS, Angola Fire/Rescue.
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