NEW PALESTINE – Officials with the Hancock County Sheriff’s Department have confirmed a motorcycle rider has died following an accident in Sugar Creek Township Sunday Afternoon.
Teddy Cooley, 56, New Palestine, died after the motorcycle he was riding was hit by a car as he was traveling toward New Palestine on Gem Road, also known as County Road 500W.
Cooley was transported by ambulance to IU Methodist Hospital and was pronounced dead shortly after his arrival.
The accident occurred at the intersection of County Roads 500W and 200S. A Nissan Rogue, driven by Matthew Gibson, 20, Beech Grove, was traveling west on CR 200W. As the car entered the intersection of CR 500 West, the vehicle struck a Harley-Davidson trike driven by Cooley, who was southbound on CR 500 West, said Maj. Bobby Campbell, chief deputy of the Hancock County Sheriff’s Department.
Charles Brown, battalion chief at the Sugar Creek Township Fire Department, said the driver of the car was uninjured when crews arrived, but it was clear Cooley was in dire condition.
“A bystander, who happened to be a nurse, was preforming CPR when we got there,” Brown said.
Sugar Creek Township paramedics took over the scene and were able to detect a pulse. They then called for a helicopter, but they were told the time of arrival was estimated at 14 minutes. That prompted medics begin transporting him immediately by ambulance.
His condition worsened en route to Methodist. He was pronounced dead shortly after arriving.
There were no indications of impairment, sheriff’s officials said. Gibson submitted to a chemical test for alcohol and drugs, which are pending. The preliminary investigation indicates the Nissan entered the intersection after stopping at the stop sign, then continued westbound and collided with the motorcyle. Traffic on County Road 500W does not have to stop there.
Investigators said Cooley was not wearing a helmet at the time of the crash.
The investigation is ongoing. See Tuesday’s print edition of the Daily Reporter for more details.
