On 07/04/2026 just before 7:15 pm, Steuben County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a 911 call of a vehicle crash on Metz Rd near the intersection of US 20 just outside of the Angola city limits. The 911 caller indicated that a person had possibly been ejected from a vehicle or a boat. When emergency first responders arrived, they located a male victim with a possible head injury who was unresponsive. Bystanders were also performing CPR.
Immediate medical attention was administered to the victim by Steuben County EMS and Angola Fire Rescue. Initial responding deputies began the crash investigation and contacted the Steuben County FACT Team to assist. Preliminary crash scene investigation determined that a white 2015 GMC Sierra pickup truck pulling a pontoon boat on a trailer driven by Chase Gustwiller (22) of Defiance, OH was traveling eastbound on US 20 approaching Metz Rd.
Gustwiller then made a right hand turn onto Metz Rd from US 20 at what witnesses described as a high rate of speed causing the pontoon boat to shift and come off of the trailer. The pontoon continued sliding on the roadway on its floats for a distance before the winch strap broke away from the trailer. The pontoon then slid off of the roadway into a grassy area and overturned. The pontoon was occupied by Cameron Laney (20) of Sherwood, OH. Laney was ejected from the pontoon boat when it overturned and then became trapped under it.
Laney was transported to Parkview Regional Medical Center by Steuben County EMS in critical condition. He later passed away due to his injuries and died at the hospital early the next morning.
During the preliminary crash investigation Gustwiller allegedly showed signs of impairment and an OWI investigation was also conducted. At the conclusion of that investigation, Gustwiller was booked into the Steuben County Jail by Angola Police on preliminary charges of Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated Endangering a Person, a class A misdemeanor and Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated Causing Death, a level 4 felony.
Gustwiller has since posted a $10,000 surety bond and was released. The weather and roadway were clear and dry at the time of the crash and alcohol is believed to be a factor. Seatbelts were in use in the vehicle which sustained no damage in the crash. The incident remains under investigation by the Sheriff’s Office and Angola Police.
Assisting the Sheriff’s Office at the scene were the Angola Police, Angola Fire Rescue, Steuben County EMS, and the Indiana State Police.
Any criminal charge is merely an accusation. The Defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
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