Motorcycle/semi accident ends with minor injuries

A motorcyclist collided with a Pepsi Semi-truck at the intersection of Harrison Street and United States 40 Friday morning. Jason Moon Photo.

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Just before 9 a.m., county emergency officials were dispatched to the intersection of Harrison Street and U.S. 40 Friday morning after a motorcycle collided with a semi-truck.

The driver of the motorcycle, David M. Turner, Harmony, received some "bumps and bruises," according to Clay County Sheriff Mike Heaton. He later went to the emergency room at St. Vincent Clay Hospital with a family member.

According to Brazil City Police Department Sgt. Mark Loudermilk, Turner was traveling eastbound on U.S. 40 behind two vehicles and a Pepsi semi-truck, driven by Robert Beaver Jr., Terre Haute.

As the truck signaled to turn right onto Harrison Street, the vehicles slowed. Loudermilk said witnesses reported Turner then veered right to pass the vehicles before striking the truck.

"He's very lucky," Loudermilk said. "He's lucky he didn't get under (the truck)."

Turner's motorcycle glanced off one of the truck tires before lodging under the frame.

Loudermilk stressed two-lane traffic on U.S. 40 does not begin until motorists pass Vandalia Street, one block east of where the accident took place Friday.

"It doesn't become two lanes until Vandalia," he said. "That's caused problems in the past.

"If the motorcycle would have stayed behind the two vehicles, this would not have happened."

Traffic was detoured on Alabama Street for approximately 15 minutes before officials reopened U.S. 40.

TransCare also responded to the incident.

Loudermilk said there was an estimated $1,000 damage to the motorcycle but the truck only had scratches.

"We have a lot of accidents in this area," he said. "You've just got to watch it."