HENDRICKS COUNTY, Ind. — Plainfield police arrested a 20-year-old man who they believe was driving the car that crashed into a utility pole, which responding Hendricks County Deputy Fred Fislar came into contact with live power lines and died.
Juan Gomez, of Guatemala, was arrested Thursday, April 25 and transported to the Hendricks County Jail on an arrest warrant from a unrelated, March 3, 2024 OWI investigation, the Plainfield Police Department said in a statement.
Gomez was charged with four counts in that case:
- Operating a vehicle while intoxicated endangering a person
- Minor consuming alcohol
- Knowing or intentionally operating a motor vehicle without ever receiving a license
- Operating a vehicle with alcohol concentration equivalent to .15 or more
According to court documents, a Hendricks County sheriff's deputy pulled over Gomez at U.S. 36 and Gable Crossing Drive in Avon on March 3 for the following traffic violations: left of center, unsafe lane movement, following too closely and failure to maintain lane.
Court documents say the deputy believed Gomez was drunk due to slurred speech, glossy eyes, poor balance and he struggled while getting out of the car.
A department spokesperson told 13News Gomez is the "primary suspect" in its investigation into the April 15 crash that Fislar was responding to when he died, but Gomez has not been arrested or charged in that case.
The spokesperson said Gomez tried to check himself out of a hospital and was detained by police in Marion County before being transported to the Hendricks County Jail.
Around 11:50 p.m. on April 15, Fislar responded to a single-vehicle crash in the 2600 block of South State Road 267, just north of Plainfield.
A 2009 silver Honda car hit a utility pole, shattering the pole and leaving electrical wires hanging low near the crash scene, according to a spokesperson with the Hendricks County Sheriff's Office.
Fislar arrived at the scene just before midnight. Minutes later, someone driving by used Fislar's radio to contact the Hendricks County Communications Center to advise them that an officer was down.
According to court documents, the downed power line seriously burned Gomez, and Fislar was trying to rescue Gomez when he came into contact with the live electrical wires.
Medics took Fislar to Eskenazi Hospital in critical condition after he came into contact with the low-hanging power line. Despite all life-saving measures, Fislar was pronounced dead at 12:59 a.m.
Plainfield Police Deputy Chief Joe Aldridge said Gomez, who was the only person in the car, was taken to Eskenazi Hospital in serious condition after the crash.
According to court documents, officers and medics said Gomez smelled like alcohol
The Hendricks County Sheriff's Office hired Fislar in December 2021. He served in the enforcement division for approximately 2 1/2 years.
A graduate of Cloverdale High School, Fislar was part of the 226th Basic Class of the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy. He also served in the United States Marine Corps.
Fislar is survived by his wife, Maddy, and two children, ages 6 and 6 months.
The Hendricks County Sheriff's Office has established a fund to make donations to Fislar's wife and his two young children. Donations may be made online here or by mailing a check to the Central Indiana Police Foundation at 1525 Shelby St., Indianapolis, IN 46203. Include "Deputy Fred Fislar" in the memo line of the check to identify the donation.
The department also warned the public about remaining vigilant about scammers who may use Fislar's death to try to solicit donations. If you're unsure about a donation request or method, contact the Hendrick's County Sheriff's Office.
Fislar was laid to rest Sunday, April 21. Visitation and funeral services took place at Cloverdale High School, where Fislar graduated.
Law enforcement agencies are choosing to remember Fislar through his acts of service and dedication to his community.
"As we carry on serving the citizens of Hendricks County, we are going to do so with integrity and courage in Fred's honor," Hendricks County Sheriff Jack Sadler said.
"Unselfish service. He was the epitome of that as a United States Marine, as a proud father, husband, and son, and as a peer and mentor to many people," Indiana State Police Superintendent Doug Carter said. "He had only been around for a couple of years, but he had a profound impact."
It's an impact those who knew him before the badge said they will never forget.
"He was always smiling. He was always the life of the party. He never had a bad word to say about anyone. It's Freddy that he went the way he did, always helping someone else," said Kim Fidler, a family friend.