TIPPECANOE COUNTY, Ind. — Indiana State Police is investigating a deadly crash that occurred early Sunday morning near Lafayette.
Shortly after 3:30 a.m. Oct. 8, troopers responded to a vehicle crash in the northbound lanes of Interstate 65 near the 170 mile-marker, which is north of the Dayton, Indiana, exit.
The preliminary investigation revealed a Jeep was going northbound on the interstate when, for an unknown reason, it ran off the east side of the road before overcorrecting and hit the guard rail in the median.
Following the crash, the Jeep became engulfed in flames, killing the passenger. The driver of the Jeep allegedly fled on foot from the scene of the crash. Officers conducted a search of the area and took the driver, described as a 35-year-old Indianapolis man, into custody.
NOTE: 13News does not name suspects in cases until formal charges are filed by prosecutors.
"During the course of their investigation, troopers were able to develop probable cause to believe the driver was under the influence," state police said in a statement.
The driver was taken to a local hospital for a blood test and then to the Tippecanoe County Jail. He faces preliminary charges including leaving the scene of a fatal crash, operating a vehicle while intoxicated causing death and operating a vehicle while intoxicated (endangerment).