INDIANAPOLIS — IMPD is investigating after one Purdue student was killed and another student was injured in a crash along Meridian Street on the south side of Indianapolis early Monday morning.
The crash happened around 2:45 a.m. Oct. 17 in the 8700 block of South Meridian Street, a few blocks north of County Line Road, near German Park.
Victim Travis Ely was a junior at Purdue University.
Both Ely and another man involved in the crash were a part of the Purdue Bass Fishing Club and were returning from the 2023 AFTCO Collegiate Bass Open Tournament on Lake Dardanelle in Arkansas.
The ACA Collegiate Bass organization put out a statement confirming the students were Ely and Hunter Heckman.
Police at the scene told 13News a pickup truck traveling northbound on Meridian Street clipped a pole on the side of the road. Neighbors called 911 after hearing the crash.
The passenger was pronounced dead at the scene, police said. The driver was transported to a local hospital with injuries.
Ely graduated from Brown County High School in 2021 where he played varsity baseball, football and basketball.
His family told 13News this is where Ely started fishing competitively, on the high school bass team, but his love for fishing started at a young age, fishing the local lakes and ponds with his family and friends.
He loved the outdoors and loved spending time with his family and friends while hunting and fishing. He was excited to continue his love for the sport at Purdue.
Ely's family sent the following statement to 13News:
"Our hearts are shattered at the loss of our brother, son, and friend. He had a kind soul, loved God, and was a friend to everyone he met. We want to thank everyone for the outpouring of love and support. We ask that you keep his brothers and sisters on the Purdue Bass Team and the greater collegiate fishing series in your thoughts and prayers."
An investigation into the crash is ongoing, though preliminary information leads investigators to believe alcohol was not a factor in the crash.
South Meridian Street was closed for several hours early Monday as first responders cleared the scene and police conducted their investigation.