An arrest has been made following an investigation by the Starke County Sheriff’s Department into a fatal hit-and-run accident in San Pierre.
The alleged incident occurred Monday, March 14 around 10:45 p.m. CT. Deputies from the Starke County Sheriff’s Office were called to the scene at U.S. 421 and County Road 500 South in San Pierre where they found an unresponsive man, according to the report. Police say 35-year-old Sherman Rhodes Berry was pronounced dead at the scene after life saving efforts were not successful.
An investigation by detectives with the Starke County Sheriff’s Office reportedly unveiled that a white 2003 Dodge Ram 1500 pickup truck driven by 38-year-old Travis Eugene Lynch, of LaCrosse, was traveling southbound on U.S. 421 near County Road 500 South when Berry was allegedly in the roadway. Police say Lynch reportedly did not have enough time to react to avoid a collision with Berry and the front driver’s side of the truck allegedly struck Berry. Lynch left the scene of the accident, according to the report.
Police say the vehicle was recovered from Paul’s Auto Yard in Westville.
Lynch was interviewed by detectives on Friday, March 25 and later arrested on a preliminary Level 4 Felony charge of leaving the scene of a fatality accident. He is being held in the Starke County Jail on a $500,000 surety bond.
The Starke County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the North Judson Police Department, Indiana State Police, San Pierre Volunteer Fire Department, Starke County Coroner’s Office, Starke County Prosecutor’s Office, and Michiana Crime Stoppers, Inc.
Suspects are presumed innocent unless or until proven guilty in a court of law.
