Passenger In Off-Road Vehicle Crash Dies
PIERCETON – The passenger injured in a Saturday night off-road vehicle accident has died.
The victim, Jason Tolle, 45, of Pierceton, died as a result of injuries from blunt force trauma, according to a news release from the Indiana Department of Natural Resources.
The accident happened on the east side of Ridinger Lake at about 7:40 a.m.
Joel Zehner, 39, on EMS R4 Lane, was driving the off-road vehicle when it crashed and rolled on top of Tolle along EMS Lane R4.
According to police, Zehner rolled the vehicle back upright and left the scene.
Zehner was taken into custody by Whitley County police later that night after a brief standoff.
Zehner is facing charges of driving while intoxicated and leaving the scene of an accident.
Units assisting Indiana Conservation Officers at the scene include Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Office, Whitley County Sheriff’s Department, Pierceton Police Department, North Webster Police Department, Kosciusko County Fatal Crash Team, Warsaw Medic 7, Milford Medic 1, Lutheran Air