The Vanderburgh County Coroner’s Office confirmed on Monday the heartbreaking news that many in Evansville’s athletic community were already aware of: the victim of the fatal single-vehicle accident on Sunday was 14-year-old Alexander Hessler, a freshman football player at Reitz High School.
Chief Deputy Coroner Amy Miller reported that Hessler was pronounced dead at Deaconess Midtown Hospital after paramedics transported him from the scene of the crash, located in the 1900 block of Orchard Road.
Miller’s official statement, issued in a news release on Monday morning, follows a public Facebook post from the Reitz High School football program that identified Hessler and expressed condolences for his passing.
“Alex was a valued member of our freshman football team and a cherished part of the Reitz High School community,” the post states. “Known for his friendly demeanor and infectious smile, he built lasting friendships and was respected and loved by everyone who knew him.”
Just before 2:38 p.m. on Sunday, dispatchers sent deputies and paramedics to a rural, two-lane road in northern Vanderburgh County after reports indicated that the SUV carrying Hessler and four others had crested a hill and become airborne, traveling approximately 50 feet before colliding with a tree.
“Upon arrival, deputies found one passenger [Hessler] who had sustained critical injuries after being ejected from the vehicle,” the Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office noted in a news release. “The teenage driver and three other passengers suffered minor injuries.”
Authorities do not believe that drug or alcohol use contributed to the crash. However, speed is considered to have played a significant role, according to deputies. The VCSO release does not provide an estimate of the vehicle’s speed when it became airborne, nor does it clarify whether the driver may face charges.
“The vehicle has been secured in the Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office forensics garage,” the release further states. “A search warrant will be obtained to extract data from the vehicle’s Event Data Recorder. The investigation into the crash is ongoing.
