A crash in southwestern Delaware County yesterday turned deadly when a Middletown motorcyclist collided with the rear of a dump trailer being towed by a Chevrolet pickup, authorities said. The wreck was reported shortly before 8 a.m., and the rider was pronounced dead at the scene in the 12000 block of South Delaware County Road 800 West.
Deputies said the pickup was driven by a Noblesville resident when the motorcycle struck the back of the trailer. Emergency crews tried to resuscitate the rider but could not revive them. The roadway was shut down while responders from multiple agencies worked the scene and investigators launched a formal crash probe into what led up to the impact. The collision remains under investigation, according to The Star Press.
Chief Deputy Jeff Stanley of the Delaware County Sheriff's Department told The Star Press that "efforts were made to resuscitate the victim, but they were unsuccessful." Delaware County sheriff's deputies, Delaware County EMS, Salem Township firefighters and the Delaware County coroner's office all responded to the crash, he said. Authorities said additional details will be released as the investigation moves forward.
Motorcycle crashes remain disproportionately deadly
Motorcycles make up a relatively small slice of the vehicles on American roads, yet riders account for a far larger share of lives lost in traffic. Nationally, motorcyclists have represented roughly 15% of U.S. traffic deaths in recent years despite traveling far fewer vehicle miles overall, according to the "Traffic Safety Facts: Motorcycles" report from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Investigation ongoing
The Delaware County Sheriff's Department is leading the investigation and has not released the rider's name, citing the need to notify family members first. Officials say they will provide updates as more information becomes available.
