A 73-year-old Upland man died late Monday morning after his car hit a utility pole on a rural Grant County road east of Marion, despite an all-out effort by first responders to save him at the scene.
What Officials Said
According to a news release posted on the Grant County Sheriff's Office Facebook page, the crash was reported around 10:38 a.m. Monday near the intersection of 11120 South and 1100 East, where a vehicle had struck a utility pole.
Deputies said first responders arrived to find the driver, who was the only person in the car, unresponsive. Crews immediately began CPR while waiting for an air medical team. The sheriff's office noted that deputies and local fire departments secured the scene so medical personnel could work.
Response and Timeline
Local station 21Alive News reported that lifesaving efforts continued on scene for about an hour. The driver, identified by deputies as John M. Walters, 73, of Upland, was pronounced dead at 11:38 a.m.
Several agencies responded to the crash, including the Indiana State Police, Matthews and Upland fire departments, Grant County EMS and Marion Health paramedics.
Investigation Ongoing
Investigators described the vehicle as a 2015 Chevrolet with minimal external damage and no intrusion into the passenger compartment, a detail that led them to suspect a possible medical event before the impact, according to Country Herald.
The Grant County Coroner's Office, led by Stephen D. Dorsey, is handling the death investigation and has notified Walters' next of kin, per the Grant County Coroner's Office. Deputies said they are documenting the crash scene and following standard investigative procedures.
Sheriff's Message and How to Contact Investigators
Sheriff Del Garcia extended his thoughts and prayers to the victim's family in the department's statement and asked anyone with additional information about the crash to reach out to investigators.
Contact details, including the department's non‑emergency number, are listed on the Grant County Sheriff's Office website. Officials said no further details will be released until the coroner's findings are complete.
