Edwin Jackson, Indianapolis Colts Linebacker, Killed On I-70

INDIANAPOLIS, IN — Indianapolis Colts linebacker Edwin Jackson was identified as one of two people killed on Sunday morning when a drunken driver barreled into a car Jackson was standing next to in the emergency shoulder of Interstate 70, authorities said.

Jackson, 26, of Atlanta, was a passenger in a red Lincoln sedan driven by ride-hailing worker Jeffrey Monroe, state troopers said. When his passenger became sick around 4 a.m., Monroe, 54, of Avon, pulled over near the 76.4 mile marker and Holt Road and got out to help his passenger.

A preliminary investigation found that both men were standing outside the car when a black Ford F-150 pickup truck smashed into the rear of the car and hit both men. One of the men was thrown into the center lane and was subsequently hit by a state trooper who was driving in the area.

A vehicle in front of the trooper had made an "evasive maneuver to the left" and the trooper spotted the wreckage along the right side of the road. He activated his lights and slowed down, but ended up running over the body in the center lane.

The driver of the pick-up truck initially took off on foot but was apprehended shortly thereafter on the ramp to Holt Road. He identified himself as Alex Cabrera Gonsales, 37, of Indianapolis.

Gonsales was taken to the Marion County Jail. The result of an intoxication test is pending.

Weather was not believed to be a factor in this crash.

Jackson was an inside linebacker who was signed by the team two years ago. Before that, Jackson was a high school football star in Atlanta who went on to play football at Georgia Southern University. He also played for the Arizona Cardinals.

Colts owner Jim Irsay said on Twitter that Jackson was a terrific young man who was respected and like by all.

"Our hearts and prayers are with Edwin Jackson’s family," he said.

It is with a heavy heart that we share the loss of one of our own.

Edwin Jackson always brought a smile to our locker room and the community. Our thoughts are with his family and friends during this difficult time.

We will miss him greatly: https://t.co/Vuql2FD59R pic.twitter.com/7gVR9PvmuA
— Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) February 4, 2018

Photo credit: AP Photo