Indianapolis Colts linebacker Edwin Jackson was killed after being hit by a suspected drunken driver early Sunday, Indiana State Police confirmed to NFL.com. He was 26.
Jackson and another man were killed when they were hit by a Ford F-150 while standing next to a vehicle on the shoulder of Interstate 70 in Indianapolis. The truck slammed into the rear of the car and hit Jackson and the other man just before 4 a.m. ET, according to a police report.
The driver of the truck, who police identified as Manuel Orrego-Savala on Monday, fled the scene on foot. He was apprehended a short time later. Police said Orrego-Savala was driving without a license, and they believe he was intoxicated at the time of the incident. He also gave officers a fake name at the time of his arrest.
"We were heartbroken to hear the news of Edwin Jackson's passing," the Coltssaid in a statement. "Edwin was loved by all in the Colts organization. We admired his outgoing personality, competitive spirit and hard-working mentality. He was well-respected among all with whom he crossed paths, and he will be greatly missed in our locker room and throughout our entire organization. We also understand that another person lost his life in the accident, only adding to our sorrow on this day. We are shocked and saddened by this tragedy, and our thoughts and prayers are with the families of both men during this difficult time."
Police identified the other man killed as Jeffrey Monroe, 54. Based on their initial investigation, police believe Monroe, a ride-sharing operator, stopped his 2018 Lincoln on the side of the road after Jackson, his passenger, became ill.
The incident remains under investigation, police said.