Police: Driver strikes pedestrian

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NEW PALESTINE — Police believe a man was hit by a car following an altercation Thursday near the intersection of U.S. 52 and County Road 500W in downtown New Palestine.

Emergency crews were called to the scene just after 5:30 p.m. after witnesses said two men got into an argument. Following the argument, one man hit the other with his pickup, police said.

Officers are investigating whether he struck the man with his truck intentionally, New Palestine Police Chief Bob Ehle said.

The victim, who has not been identified, was airlifted to Indiana University Health Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis with head injuries, police said. His condition was not available at press time.

The driver, who also was not identified at press time Thursday, was taken into custody. He is considered a suspect, Ehle said.

Initially, police broadcasts suggested gunshots were fired in the area. Ehle said police believe one of the vehicles involved in the accident backfired, leading witnesses to believe someone on the scene had a gun. No weapons were found, police said.

Officers were seeking security camera footage from nearby businesses, including CVS Pharmacy and a strip mall, late Thursday in hopes of learning what happened in the moments leading up to the incident. Several witnesses were questioned at the scene.

County Road 500W was closed to traffic for nearly four hours as police gathered evidence.

Clothing and a pair of shoes were removed from the roadway by officers.

A silver mini van and green pickup truck were roped off with crime scene tape.

Sugar Creek Township Fire Department brought a ladder truck to the scene in order to give investigators an aerial view.