INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA (February 4, 2017) – Colts linebacker Edwin Jackson was tragically killed early Sunday after being struck by a driver suspected of DUI, according to a local news source. (map)
The accident happened early Sunday morning on Interstate 70. 26 year old Edwin Jackson, a linebacker for the Indianapolis Colts, was traveling in a vehicle owned by Jefferey Monroe. Monroe pulled over to the side of the road after Jackson became sick, and got out of the vehicle to assist Jackson. As the two men stood outside the car, a Ford F-150 careened into the shoulder and smashed into the rear of the vehicle, striking both men and sending one flying into the center lanes of the highway. An Indiana State trooper that saw the accident was slowing down at the scene when he struck the body of the victim in the center lane, as he was unable to stop in time.
Edwin Jackson was tragically pronounced dead at the scene by responding medical personnel. Edwin had been signed to the Colts as part of their practice squad in 2015, and had played in 16 games during the 2016 season. Jeffrey Monroe, the 54 year old man driving the car Jackson was in, was believed to be operating the vehicle for a ride sharing service such as Uber or Lyft at the time of the accident.
The driver of the Ford F-150 that struck Jackson and Monroe attempted to flee the scene on foot, but was apprehended and identified as 37 year old Manuel Orrego-Savala. Savala was operating the vehicle without a license, and was believed to be intoxicated at the time of the accident. He gave police a fake name at the scene of Alex Cabrera Gonsales, but police investigation turned up his correct name. Orrego-Savala was an illegal immigrant that had been deported twice, in 2007 and 2009. Orrego-Savala is being held at the Marion County Jail, and is expected to face criminal charges.
The Colts released a statement indicating that Edwin was well loved by everyone in the organization, and that he will be greatly missed. Jackson had attended Georgia Southern University and was a native of Atlanta. He was nominated for the Allstate Good Works team for his volunteer work at a local elementary school, and hosting a football clinic for kids in Costa Rica.
The investigation into Sunday’s accident is still ongoing, and HWG Law will update this article as more information becomes available.
“The thoughts and prayers of everyone at HWG Law are with the family and friends of Edwin Jackson during this difficult time. Edwin was obviously loved by all who knew him, and was a shining example of an altruistic person that genuinely enjoyed giving back to his community. We hope justice will be served in this tragic accident,” said the attorneys from HWG Law. HWG Law has been instrumental in winning high figure settlements for clients over the years, and employs state of the art technology to ensure maximum recovery in every case.
