ORLAND, IN - Sad news on this Friday from Steuben County as family, friends, and a school community are dealing with the loss of two brothers following a fatal car accident.

On Thursday evening just before 5:30 p.m. The Steuben County Sheriff's Office responded to a crash on County Road 675 West approximately 1/2 mile south of State Road 120, east of Orland in Millgrove Township. Upon arrival deputies located a vehicle, a red 2012 Lexus IS2, which they determined had been southbound on County Road 675 West.
Sheriff Investigators say the vehicle had been traveling at a high rate of speed.

The driver of the vehicle, identified as Tyler Michael Curtis, age 16, lost control after going over a small hill in the roadway. The vehicle crossed the northbound lane, then traveled off the roadway striking a tree nearly head-on. The vehicle split in two, causing the driver and a 14-year-old male passenger, identified as Chace Curtis, to be ejected.
The pair were brothers who lived in Orland and were students at Prairie Heights High School.

Tyler Curtis was pronounced dead at the scene by the Steuben County Coroner Thursday night following the accident. Younger brother, Chace Curtis, was transported by Samaritan helicopter to Parkview Regional Medical Center.
On Friday morning (February 26, 2021) Chace Curtis passed away from his injuries from the crash at Parkview Regional Medical Center in Fort Wayne.
Authorities say it is unknown at this time whether seat belts were in use, the airbags did deploy. The roadway was clear and dry at the time of the crash.

Tyler and Chace Curtis are brothers and attended Prairie Heights Community Schools in LaGrange County where they were student athletes. Most recently, Tyler finished is Junior wrestling season as an IHSAA Regional Qualifier. The boys bothe were on the wrestling team and have played a lifetime of baseball in Orland with the Orland Tigers Youth League, various travel teams, and at Prairie Heights.

The crash remains under investigation by the Steuben County Sheriff's Office.

The Sheriff's Office was assisted at the scene by Orland Fire Rescue, Steuben County EMS, Samaritan Helicopter and the Angola Police Department.