A 34-year-old Bloomington man died after colliding with a car early Sunday morning around 12:45 a.m. at the intersection of Kirkwood Avenue and Walnut Street, according to Bloomington Police Department Capt. Ryan Pedigo.
This is the third fatal motorcycle accident in the Bloomington area in the past 72 hours. The first fatal accident was in the area of Airport Rd.. and Ind. 45 Thursday around 11:30 p.m. during a police chase. Another was on West Ind. 46, just east of County Line Rd., Saturday morning.
Pedigo issued the following statement Sunday afternoon about the most recent motorcycle crash:
“On August 8th at approximately 12:45 a.m., officers responded to the intersection of Kirkwood Avenue and Walnut Street in reference to a vehicle crash with injuries. Upon arrival, it was apparent that a red 2005 Honda motorcycle had collided with the rear of a gray 2017 Hyundai sport utility vehicle. The force of the collision had ejected the motorcyclist and he was found lying on the roadway a few feet from the crashed motorcycle. The motorcyclist, identified as a 34-year-old Bloomington man, was transported to the IU Health Emergency Department by ambulance, but life-saving efforts were unsuccessful and he was determined to be deceased by an Emergency Department Physician at approximately 1:30 a.m.
A crash reconstructionist from BPD was called to the scene to assist with the investigation. It was determined that both the motorcycle as well as the passenger car had been northbound on Walnut Street. The driver of the car, identified as a 52-year-old Bloomington man, advised investigators that he had been northbound on Walnut Street in the far left lane and was in the process of turning westbound on Kirkwood Avenue when he was struck from behind by the motorcyclist. The motorcyclist was unable to be interviewed due to the severity of his injuries.
Witnesses at the scene reported hearing the motorcycle approaching the intersection and advised investigators that it sounded as if the motorcycle was traveling at a high rate of speed prior to the collision. The driver of the passenger car submitted to a certified chemical test per State statute and was released after being interviewed by investigators. An autopsy for the motorcyclist is scheduled for Monday morning at 10:00 a.m. and investigators will await toxicology results which usually take several weeks to receive.”
