Lairson died in crash Saturday

A Portland man died Saturday in a head-on vehicle collision in Jay County.

Hunter L. Lairson, 23, was pronounced dead at the scene after suffering blunt force trauma in the collision.

The other driver, Alexis B. Sheffer, 26, Fairborn, Ohio, suffered injuries as well.

Police responded to two 911 calls about 4:40 a.m. Saturday near the intersection of county roads 300 North and 450 East. Sheffer was driving her 2016 Chevrolet Malibu west and Lairson was driving his 2024 Honda Civic east on county road 300 North, according to a Jay County Sheriff’s Office report.

Lairson was driving at an excessive speed, the report says, and entered into the westbound lane as he crested a hill. Sheffer crested the hill at the same time. She attempted to veer north but was unable to avoid a collision with Lairson’s vehicle, according to the report.

Sheffer’s vehicle went off the north side of the road. Lairson’s vehicle continued about 100 feet south of the road.

Lairson suffered fatal injuries and was trapped inside his vehicle.

Sheffer was also trapped inside her vehicle and had to be removed by emergency responders. She complained of leg, chest and arm pain and was in and out of consciousness after the crash. Sheffer was flown to Lutheran Hospital in Fort Wayne for treatment of her injuries.

Lairson and Sheffer were administered alcohol and drug blood tests. Results are pending.

The 911 calls were made by Crash Detection, an Apple smart device feature that detects crashes and, if the user is unable to respond, automatically calls emergency services and shares the user’s location and medical information.

Both vehicles were towed, with damage estimated between $25,000 and $50,000.