On Sunday, June 14th the Starke County Sheriff’s Dispatch Center received a 9-1-1 call about 1:30 in the morning about a pedestrian being stuck by a vehicle on South Dawn Drive East in North Judson.
The Starke County Sheriff’s Department and North Judson Police Department responded to the call and found a male individual on the side of the roadway with several people attempting to offer his assistance. Deputies learned that the vehicle that struck the man had left the scene. It was described at a teal color 1994 GMC SUV with Indiana registration of 409HAP.
An investigation was initiated and it was discovered that there had been an altercation in the area earlier in the evening and that one of the males involved returned to the scene later and brought several other individuals with him.
Investigators believe that the male returned to the scene to possibly fight others that were involved in the earlier incident and when confronted the incident escalated. As a result, the male walking on the roadway was struck by the vehicle.
Starke County EMS arrived on scene and pronounced the male individual deceased at the scene.
Information was gathers on the suspect vehicle and officers checked locations in Starke, Jasper and Pulaski Counties. Two persons of interest were taken into custody but released after it was determined there were not directly involved. Several leads on suspects were gathered and officers are following up on those leads.
The Starke County Sheriff’s Department is asking for the public’s assistance in locating the teal colored 1994 GMC SUV with Indiana registration of 409HAP. Call the Starke County Sheriff’s Department or 911.
The Starke County Sheriff’s Department was assisted at the scene by the North Judson Police Department, Knox Police Department, Indiana State Police Crime Scene Investigators and Accident Reconstructionist, Stake County EMS, North Judson Fire and Marshal County Coroner Bill Cleavenger.
Listeners and readers are reminded that charging information supported by an affidavit of probable cause is merely an allegation that a crime has been committed and that there is only probable cause to believe a crime has been committed. They are presumed innocent throughout the proceedings and are entitled to be represented by counsel and entitled to a trial by jury at which the State is obligated to provide proof beyond a reasonable doubt before a judgment of guilt may be made.
