Motorcyclist dies after colliding with vehicle near U.S. 31 roundabout

A Flat Rock motorcyclist seriously injured in an accident near the U.S. 31 roundabout south of Columbus has died.

Bartholomew County Sheriff’s deputies said J. Mike Diewert, 54, of Flat Rock, was found unconscious after a motorcycle accident on east County Road 400S west of the U.S. 31 roundabout at 9:19 p.m. Tuesday.

Deputy Andrew Whipker said the preliminary investigation shows Diewert was riding a 2004 Harley-Davidson motorcycle east at a low rate of speed when his motorcycle collided with a 2016 Honda CRV attempting to pass him. The driver of the Honda was not injured.

However, Diewert — who was not wearing a helmet — was flown by LifeLine helicopter to Indianapolis after being treated at the scene by Elizabethtown firefighters Tuesday night, deputies said.

Diewert had surgery Tuesday night before being admitted to the hospital’s critical care unit, where he had been listed in critical condition, deputies said.

The sheriff’s department confirmed he died at the hospital Wednesday afternoon.