North Vernon motorcyclist dies in Ripley County accident

RIPLEY COUNTY — Indiana State Police said a North Vernon motorcyclist was killed in a two-vehicle crash shortly before 7 a.m. Thursday on State Road 48 near State Road 129 in Ripley County.

The initial investigation by troopers from the Indiana State Police-Versailles Crash Reconstruction Team indicated that a black 2012 Harley-Davidson motorcycle, being driven by Christopher Kincaid, 48, North Vernon, was traveling eastbound on State Road 48, just east of State Road 129. For an unknown reason, Kincaid’s motorcycle crossed the centerline into the path of a westbound white 2014 Ford truck being driven by Charles Eckstein, 54, Sunman, state police said.

Kincaid’s motorcycle collided with Eckstein’s truck, causing Kincaid to be ejected from the motorcycle. Kincaid sustained fatal injuries in the collision, state police said. He was pronounced deceased at the scene by the Ripley County Coroner’s Office. Eckstein was not injured in the collision.

Drugs and alcohol are not believed to be factors in the crash although toxicology results are pending at this time.

The Indiana State Police was assisted by the Ripley County Sheriff’s Department, Milan Police Department, Ripley County EMS, Delaware Fire Department, and the Ripley County Coroner’s office.