The owner of a local architectural firm who police said had two prior convictions for drunken driving faces preliminary felony and misdemeanor charges related to drunken driving for a Wednesday evening crash in which a Portage couple on a motorcycle died.

Amy Jackson, 44, the passenger on the motorcycle, died at the scene of the accident, according to Porter County Coroner Chuck Harris. Her husband, Peter Jackson, 45, who was driving, died after being transported to Methodist Hospital Northlake Campus in Gary, officials said.

Cleon Stutler Jr., 66, of Portage, was charged with two felony counts of operating while intoxicated resulting in death with prior convictions; one felony count of operating while intoxicated with a prior conviction; and three misdemeanors related to drunken driving. Stutler is the owner of Stutler Architects in Portage

The Jacksons have two sons, ages 4 and 6, and a daughter, age 5, and Amy Jackson has two teenage sons from a previous marriage, said Chris Archer, her brother.

“They’re with us,” Archer said of the children, adding he is about two years older than his sister and the two were close. “She lives right around the corner,” he continued, adding they often spent family time together.

The Jacksons were married six years, Archer said, and Peter Jackson owned a construction business. After a brief stint working at a group home for people with disabilities, Archer said his sister got a job at the Portage Library, which she hadn’t started yet.

Amy Jackson was a Little League coach for her two younger sons, Archer said, and also served as a secretary on the league’s board.

“(Peter Jackson) had just gotten his motorcycle about a year and a half ago and they liked to take rides,” Archer said.

The accident occurred around 6:13 p.m. Wednesday at U.S. 20 and Willowcreek Road and was witnessed by Portage Police Officer Louis Stanko, according to a release from Portage Police Chief Troy Williams. A preliminary investigation indicates Stutler, who was driving a sport utility vehicle, was westbound on U.S. 20 and attempting to turn south onto Willowcreek Road while the Jacksons’ motorcycle was eastbound and had the right-of-way, according to Williams.

The collision caused severe damage to both vehicles and the Jacksons, who were not wearing helmets, were thrown from the motorcycle, Williams said.

Another officer allegedly heard Stutler say, “My life is over” several times, according to a police report.

Stutler reportedly had a blood-alcohol content of .168 percent, more than twice the legal limit of .08 percent, per a breath sample, Williams said. He suffered an abrasion to his arm and declined treatment.

Stutler was transported to Portage Hospital for a toxicology screen before being taken to Porter County Jail where he is being held without bond, Williams said, adding he was convicted of operating while intoxicated in 2010 and 2015. According to the company website, Stutler has more than 40 years of experience in residential and commercial architecture. Some of those projects, according to the website, include the Woodland Park Community Center in Portage and the Lake Park Professional Center in Hobart.

Amy Lavalley is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.