A bicyclist struck by a vehicle Sunday night in North Vernon was flown to an Indianapolis hospital in critical condition, police report.
The man, who remains unidentified, was found lying unconscious but breathing on State Street just north of Walnut Street by officers responding to a report of a personal injury wreck at 8:58 p.m., according to a news release from Sgt. Isaacs Barkes with North Vernon Police Department.
Barkes, the department’s public information officer, said police starting rendering aid to the bicyclist.
Reports from witnesses and the driver were later received by police, he said.
The investigation revealed a red 2003 Mitsubishi driven by Tyler J. Wells, 19 of Commiskey was traveling southbound on North State Street when the vehicle struck a male on a bicycle, causing the male to roll over the top of the vehicle and land on the roadway, Barkes said.
The investigation further revealed the bicyclist was likely intoxicated by alcohol, he said.
Wells did not report any injuries as a result of the collision.
The male was flown to St. Vincent Hospital in Indianapolis, where he is reported to be in critical condition. All lanes of North State Street were shut down for approximately 45 minutes throughout the investigation and cleanup.
This investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information can contact the North Vernon Police Department at 812-346-1466.
Agencies assisting at the scene included Rescue 20, North Vernon Fire Department, Jennings County Sheriff’s Department, Jennings County Dispatch, STAT Flight and Lee’s Wrecker Service.