****UPDATE FROM THE INDIANA STATE POLICE:

Please keep ISP in your prayers.

This afternoon at approximately 4:30 p.m., Master Trooper James R. Bailey PE 7858 was assisting other troopers on I-69 working traffic backup resulting from weather related crashes near the 326mm, south of Auburn in DeKalb County. Fort Wayne Police Department became involved in a vehicle pursuit on I-69 near Trooper Bailey’s location. Trooper Bailey attempted to de-escalate the pursuit by deploying stop sticks, as a result, Trooper Bailey was struck by the suspect vehicle. Medical care was rendered at the scene, and then he was rushed to a Fort Wayne hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.

*************

DEKALB COUNTY, IN - Indiana State Police say a trooper was struck in a crash along I-69, just south of Auburn, Friday afternoon.

The Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) website says the crash was reported in the northbound lanes of I-69, between County Road 60 and County Road 11A, just after 5 p.m.

Investigators say the trooper was standing outside of his squad car when he was hit.

The trooper’s family has been notified, but have not yet reported his condition.