NFL linebacker Edwin Jackson killed on eve of Super Bowl

Jackson of the Indianapolis Colts was one of two people killed in an incident on Interstate 70 in Indiana

A 37-year-old man has been arrested having fled the scene of the incident on foot (Getty)

An NFL linebacker has been killed by a suspected drunk driver on the eve of the Super Bowl.

Edwin Jackson of the Indianapolis Colts was one of two people killed in an incident on Interstate 70 in Indiana.

State police confirmed that Jackson and 54-year-old Jeffrey Monroe were standing near a stopped vehicle when a black Ford pick-up truck drove onto the hard shoulder and struck them both.

Local reports suggest Monroe was a ride share operator who had pulled over to let Jackson out of the car as he was ill.

Jackson joined the Indianapolis Colts in 2015 (Getty)

“One of the people struck was thrown into the center lane of I-70," Sgt. John Perrine said in a statement to the Indianapolis Star. "Shortly after the crash, and before any 911 calls were received, Trooper Ty Mays was driving through the area and noticed a vehicle in front of him make an evasive manoeuvre to the left."

"As he slowed to stop for the crash he struck the body of the victim in the center lane," Perrine said in a statement.

A 37-year-old man has been arrested having fled the scene on foot.

"It is believed Gonsales was intoxicated and was driving without a license," Perrine said in a statement. "He was transported to the Marion County Jail, the result of the test for intoxication is pending."