(JACKSON TOWNSHIP) – One person is dead and another person is injured following a head on crash.

Steuben County Deputy Sheriff Michael Meeks says deputies and first responders were called to U.S. 20 between County Road 800 West and County Road 900 West at 6:40 PM Saturday on a report of a two vehicle head on collision. It was also reported that one of the vehicles was on fire. The Salem Township Fire Department arrived and extinguished the blaze.

The preliminary crash investigation indicated that Deputies determined that 91 year old Lester Merkle of Ohio City, Ohio was driving west on U.S. 20 when he drifted left of the center line and into the path of an eastbound pick up, driven by 65 year old Lorene Fuentes of Angola. Fuentes attempted to avoid the crash by steering to the right, but the autos struck head on.

Merkle was pronounced dead at the scene from apparent blunt force trauma.

Fuentes sustained lower leg, arm and possible internal injuries, and was initially transported to Cameron Memorial Hospital by Steuben County EMS in serious condition. Fuentes was later flown to a Fort Wayne hospital by Samaritan Helicopter.

Alcohol is not believed to be a factor in the crash. Seatbelts were used by both drivers and airbags did deploy in both vehicles.

The crash is still under investigation.

Assisting at the scene were the Indiana State Police, Indiana Department of Natural Resources Law Enforcement Division, and the Angola Police.