Updated: Young Bicyclist Dies After Being Hit By Truck
Posted
Jennifer Peryam-jperyam@timesuniononline.com
WINONA LAKE – A 10-year-old Winona Lake boy has died in hospital after being hit by a truck while riding his bicycle Monday night. Winona Lake police confirmed the boy's death late this morning. According to a press release from the Winona Lake Police Department, at approximately 9:30 p.m. Monday the Kosciusko County 911 Center received a call for an accident involving a 2007 GMC pickup truck, driven by Richard Riedel, Mentone, and a bicyclist, Kurt Engler, at the intersection of CR 250E and Lexington Drive. An off-duty Warsaw fire and police officer had arrived and were providing care to Engler until emergency personnel arrived at the scene. A medical helicopter was summoned to the scene but was disregarded due to the extended flight. Engler was transported by Multi-Township EMS to Fort Wayne Lutheran Hospital and listed in critical condition. He then was flown to Riley Hospital For Children, Indianapolis. Based on the pickup driver’s statement and witness statements, Engler failed to stop at the stop sign when exiting Lexington Drive and entered the roadway in front of the southbound pickup truck. The driver was unable to avoid the collision. Drugs and alcohol are not suspected to be a factor in the accident. The accident was investigated by the Winona Lake Police Department. Assisting with the accident were members of the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Department, Kosciusko County Fatal Alcohol Crash Team, Warsaw and Winona Lake Police Departments, Warsaw Fire Department and Multi-Township EMS.
