A tragic incident unfolded on a Hancock County road last Sunday, where a collision claimed the life of a motorcyclist and left his passenger critically injured. The Hancock County Sheriff's Office responded to the scene at the intersection of County Road 400 West and U.S. 40 around 5:13 p.m as per WTHR.
Identified as the deceased, Eric Edwards, 53, of Greenfield, was pronounced dead right at the scene of the accident. According to WISH-TV, Donna Gross, 52, also from Greenfield, was riding as a passenger on the motorcycle and suffered critical injuries. Sent to IU Methodist Hospital, her condition was deemed critical, but she is expected to survive. The pair were thrown from the bike, a detail that police say heightened the crash's severity.
The other vehicle involved was a 2025 Chevrolet Equinox SUV, driven by 18-year-old Cheyenne Higsby of Greenfield who, according to police, was unharmed in the crash. Higsby complied with toxicology testing, a standard procedure due to the severe nature of the accident. Police disclosed the motorcycle was westbound on U.S. 40 without a stop sign, while the SUV was southbound on County Road 400 West and had a stop sign prior to turning left onto U.S. 40, into the motorcycle's path. FOX59 noted that investigators believe the SUV entered the motorcycle's path, leading to the collision.
It was highlighted by the Hancock County Sheriff's Office that neither Edwards nor Gross were wearing helmets at the time of the accident. Despite not being required by law for adults over 18 in Indiana, officers are encouraging motorcyclists to wear helmets as a safety measure.
