Staff Reports
An Indianapolis motorcyclist died in an early morning accident in the northbound lanes of I-65 near the 62 mile marker after investigators said he struck a deer. A “Good Samaritan” was seriously injured when he and the motorcyclist who were in the roadway were then struck by a semi, Indiana State Police said.
The initial investigation by Trooper David Owsley, Indiana State Police-Versailles, indicated that at 1:38 a.m. Monday, a 2018 Harley-Davidson motorcycle being driven by Marcus Grayson, 34, Indianapolis, struck a deer while traveling northbound on I-65 near the 62 mile marker. Grayson was injured in the crash and was lying in the roadway. Three witnesses stopped at the scene in an attempt to assist Grayson, said Sgt. Stephen Wheeles, Indiana State Police spokesman.
A 2002 Chevrolet Suburban, driven by Todd M. Loquercio, 50, Franklin Park, Illinois, and a 2011 Hyundai Sonata, driven by Jamila Jenkins-Newson, 43, Indianapolis, stopped in the northbound lanes of I-65 at the accident scene. A 2013 Ford F-150 being driven by Adam K. Whyde, 37, Beech Grove, stopped on the shoulder of I-65.
A 1998 Peterbilt semi tractor pulling a trailer, driven by Lee H. Muller, 45, Danville, Kentucky, approached the scene while traveling northbound on I-65. Muller attempted to take evasive action to avoid the vehicles and pedestrians in the roadway, Wheeles said.
Muller’s vehicle struck Loquercio’s vehicle, Jenkins-Newson’s vehicle, and Grayson’s motorcycle. Muller’s vehicle also struck Grayson and Whyde, who was providing medical care to Grayson in the roadway, Wheeles said.
Grayson was pronounced deceased at the scene by the Bartholomew County Coroner’s Office, who ruled his cause of death as head trauma. Whyde suffered serious injuries in the crash and was flown from the scene to an Indianapolis area hospital for treatment.
Loquercio sustained minor injuries when he was struck by debris and was treated for his injuries.
The investigation by the the Indiana State Police-Versailles Crash Reconstruction Team is ongoing. Toxicology results are pending at this time, Wheeles said.
Assisting at the scene were the Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department, Columbus Regional EMS, Bartholomew County fire departments and the Bartholomew County Coroner’s Office.
The northbound lanes of I-65 were closed for approximately four hours for crash investigation and cleanup.
