Shortly upon arrival, the passenger, Misty Staton, 39, of Knox, was pronounced dead at the scene. The operator, Dalton Minix, 28, of Knox, was transported to the Starke County Hospital with a head injury.

Witnesses reported observing the side-by-side style ORV was traveling southbound on SR 10 when it failed to negotiate a turn at a high rate of speed. The ORV left the roadway, rolled, and both occupants were ejected.

Neither occupant was wearing a helmet or utilizing the vehicle’s seatbelts at the time of the crash.

The investigation is ongoing. The DNR report said impairment of alcohol is suspected as a contributing factor.  Once completed, all findings will be forwarded to the Starke County Prosecutor’s Office.

Indiana Conservation Officers remind Hoosiers that ORV traffic is prohibited on Indiana state highways. For more information on ORV safety, see offroad-ed.com/indiana