STEUBEN CO. – The Indiana State Police is investigating a single-vehicle crash that occurred late this afternoon on State Road 120 near the intersection of County Road 300 West in Steuben County. The crash involved the death of Darrel R. Walter Jr, 73, of Orland, IN.
The preliminary investigation found that Mr. Walter had been driving his 2019 Chevrolet Colorado pickup truck westbound on SR120 when he suddenly ran off-road to the south and traveled for approximately 1500 feet through a cut cornfield. There was no evidence of braking or evasive action taken to correct the path of travel off-road. The truck eventually crashed at low speed into a tree.
Troopers arrived on the scene within a few minutes of the initial dispatch and reported that the driver was showing no signs of life.
Based on the evidence at the scene, and after consultation with the Steuben County Coroner and the Walter family, although not a conclusive finding, it is highly suspected that Mr. Walter suffered a fatal medical incident prior to his vehicle running off the road and impacting the tree.
The crash investigation remains ongoing pending the Coroner’s official medical evaluation and toxicology work, which is expected to determine the exact cause of death.
Family notifications have been made.
The Indiana State Police were assisted at the scene by the Fremont Fire Department, Steuben County Sheriff’s Department, Steuben County EMS, Steuben County Coroner, and Bill’s Professional Towing Service.
