Edwin Jackson, a linebacker for the Colts, was one of two people killed early Sunday after being hit by a suspected drunken driver in Indiana, according to the Indy Star. Jackson was 26.
The crash happened shortly before 4 a.m. on Interstate 70, where police said Jackson and 54-year-old Jeffrey Monroe were standing near a stopped vehicle when a pickup truck swerved onto the shoulder and struck both of them.
Police said they believe Jackson had gotten sick, and Monroe had pulled over to assist him.
Police said the driver of the pickup, 37-year-old Alex Cabrera Gonsales of Indianapolis, tried to flee the scene on foot, but was caught shortly after.
“It is believed Gonsales was intoxicated and was driving without a license,” Sgt. John Perrine said in a statement. “He was transported to the Marion County Jail, the result of the test for intoxication is pending.”
Jackson was an undrafted free agent out of Georgia Southern in 2015. He eventually caught on with the Colts in late 2015 and played all 16 games in 2016, when he recorded two sacks. He spent this past season on injured reserve.
“Time after time people are told not to drive drunk and they still do it,” Colts cornerback Quincy Wilson wrote. “Now a life of a good person is taken over someone’s selfish decision! It’s gotta stop.. R.I.P. Edwin.”