WESTPORT—Lawrence County authorities are waiting for results of an autopsy and toxicology testing to return as they sort out how an Indiana man ended up laying in the roadway on Illinois Rte. 33 in Westport where he was struck and killed.
Sources indicate that Lawrence County dispatch received a call on February 19, at approximately 12:07 a.m. from 21-year-old Shannon Knoblett, of 356 Mill Springs, Fillmore, Ind.
Knoblett said she had been driving northbound on Ill. Rte. 33 when he thought she had struck an animal lying in the road.
But when she turned around to make sure, she discovered 28-year-old Aaron James Hineman, of 106 Willie St., Worthington, Ind., laying in the roadway severely injured.
Knoblett immediately contacted authorities.
Vincennes, Ind., emergency responders, being closer, arrived on scene first and found Hineman bleeding from the head and groin area but still alive.
Emergency medical treatment was begun immediately.
Hineman died some time later of his injuries.
Didn’t know each other
There has been no indication that Hineman and Knoblett knew each other. Police say they were each (separately) staying with friends in Palestine.
Early in the investigation authorities were wondering why Hineman was on foot and where his truck was.
“We later found it to be in the possession of a friend of his in Palestine who was working on it for him,” said an official source.
Authorities say several hours before he was found by Knoblett, Hineman, while in Vincennes, Ind., had used a friend’s cell phone to call another friend to come and pick him up and give home a ride back to Palestine.
“When the friends arrived in Vincennes, Aaron was nowhere to be found,” the source said. “So the friends drove around for a bit and then headed back to Palestine.”
Initial interviews of those who knew Hineman have revealed that he was a student an Vincennes University (VU).
Friends say that Hineman, an Iraq combat veteran, suffered from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
He often wrote on Facebook about not being able to sleep and of nightmares.
Friends say he is another one of those veterans who slide through societal cracks after they return.
Hineman’s unit is believed to have fought in some of the most bloody battles in Iraq.
“It would be nice to get through a day without an anxiety attack,” he wrote recently on his Facebook page.
Authorities say they have learned that he had at least mentioned thoughts of suicide to counselors at VU.
Friend voices concern over PTSD
One of those who knew Hineman voiced their concern about the battle with PTSD he fought.
“Aaron lost his life yesterday. I had met him a few times. He was a nice guy. He was a severely disabled Army veteran like myself. Unlike myself he suffered from P.T.S.D. He and his unit fought in some of the worst battles in Iraq. They suffered heavy casualties. They later lost members of the unit to suicide due to P.T.S.D. He had the love of a beautiful woman, family and friends but despite all this he couldn’t overcome his nightmares. They all tried to save him. I don’t know the exactly happen when he died or why. I do know P.S.T.D. ruined his life. Our Veterans Healthcare system is a joke. These heroes need help. We need to demand it. They deserve anything our country can do for them. Aaron survived the war but lost his battle with P.S.T.D. Our government sends our soldiers to war then neglects to give them the care they are promised. I salute Aaron, his unit and others that suffer from the after effects of war. Thank you for the sacrifice you made for me and my country. As a noncombat soldier I can never compare my service to yours. You are a hero and now you are at peace.”
Authorities say the investigation is ongoing and hope to be able to tell how Hineman got to where he was struck and whether or not he had been hit before Knoblett arrived at that fateful location.
“I feel bad for everyone involved,” the source said. “Feel bad for Hineman and his friends and family as well as for Ms. Knoblett.”
Anyone with information as to the prior whereabouts and/or condition of Aaron Hineman previous to the Feb. 19 incident (whether he was seen walking, someone who gave him a ride, etc.) is asked to contact local authorities.