Mason L. Aelker : “Pedestrian in Critical Condition After Steuben Crash”

STEUBEN COUNTY, Ind. (WPTA) – A serious crash occurred in Steuben County on Sunday morning, resulting in one person being left in critical condition. The incident took place at approximately 1:30 a.m. on Sunday, May 26, when the Steuben County Sheriff’s Office responded to a collision involving a pedestrian and a vehicle on State Road 127, just north of County Road 275 North.

Upon arrival at the scene, authorities found 29-year-old Mason L. Aelker of Payson, Utah, lying in the southbound lane of State Road 127 with a head injury. The driver of the vehicle involved in the crash was identified as 53-year-old John R. Reuille of Fort Wayne.

Following the incident, the Steuben County Fatal Alcohol Crash Team (FACT) was called in to investigate the circumstances surrounding the collision.

Based on FACT’s findings, it is believed that Reuille was driving a vehicle with a trailer southbound on State Road 127 at the time of the accident. Aelker, on the other hand, was walking south in the same travel lane, near the centerline.

Although Reuille was reportedly slowing down to make a turn onto County Road 275 North and attempted to swerve to avoid hitting Aelker, the collision was unavoidable. Aelker was struck by the right front end of the vehicle before it came to a stop.

Aelker was rushed to a local hospital in critical condition, while Reuille and his two passengers escaped unharmed. It is suspected that Aelker may have been under the influence of alcohol at the time of the crash.

In response to the situation, Reuille voluntarily agreed to a blood test for alcohol and narcotics, with results currently pending.

The crash remains under thorough investigation by the authorities as they work to establish the full sequence of events leading up to the tragic incident.