Man injured after being hit by motorcycle

Columbus, IN (July 31, 2023) - A man was seriously injured Sunday after being struck by a motorcycle while trying to provide aid to a second motorcyclist who had been involved in a previous crash on Interstate 65 in southern Bartholomew County. The initial investigation indicated that a bicycle had possibly fallen from a vehicle traveling southbound on I-65 near the 59 mile marker just north of the Jonesville exit.

 

The bicycle was lying in the far left lane of southbound I-65 when it was struck by at least two southbound passenger vehicles, according to a news release from Sgt. Stephen Wheeles. Both vehicles, one of which was driven by Jonathan Brown, 27, of Lebanon, Tennessee, pulled to the shoulder of the interstate due to receiving damage from striking the bicycle.



A group of motorcyclists, who were traveling together, then approached the bicycle that was still in the roadway. One of the motorcyclists, 62-year-old Leslie D. Spillman of Lexington, Kentucky, struck the bicycle and crashed his 2008 Kawasaki motorcycle, sustaining non-life-threatening injuries. Brown then left his vehicle on foot to assist Spillman.



A 2004 Honda motorcycle, being operated by Darrell Brooks, 39, also of Lexington, Kentucky, had passed the bicycle prior to Spillman’s crash. After seeing that Spillman had crashed, Brooks then turned around and began traveling northbound on the southbound shoulder to respond to his crash. Brooks’ motorcycle then struck Brown while he walked toward Spillman. 


Follow us on Facebook at: Facebook.com/BikerDownIndiana
Join our Facebook group at: Biker Down Indiana

Motorcyclist and passenger killed in crash

St. Joseph County, IN (July 24, 2023) - The St. Joseph County Fatal Crash Team (FACT) is investigating a crash that killed two people on a motorcycle this weekend.

 

On Saturday, just after 3:00 p.m., officials said FACT was called to respond to a collision involving a motorcycle and passenger vehicle on U.S. 20, west of Quince Road.

The driver of the vehicle, 45-year-old Thongkhoun M. Phommaha, of South Bend, was travelling eastbound and crossed the center line in the path of the motorcycle, which was driven by Mark Pierce, 59, of South Bend. Piece, along with his passenger, Jane Ryall, 54, also of South Bend, were both deceased at the scene.



The driver is cooperating with investigators and sustained minor injuries and the crash remains under investigation by the St. Joseph County Fatal Crash Team.

Follow us on Facebook at: Facebook.com/BikerDownIndiana
Join our Facebook group at: Biker Down Indiana