HANCOCK COUNTY — A Greenfield man who was out for a morning bicycle ride was struck and killed by a driver who was later arrested on suspicion of drunken driving.
Rodger Wellenreiter, 76, of Greenfield, died at the scene of the collision along West County Road 300N. Investigators say his bicycle was struck from behind at about 10:50 a.m. near the entrance to Heartland Resort, 1613 West 300N.
The driver of the car, Robert Terry, 40, Greenfield, remained at the scene of the accident. He was not injured, but he was later arrested and booked into the Hancock County Jail early Wednesday afternoon.
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At the time of his arrest, Terry was facing a Level 4 felony count of operating a vehicle while intoxicated-causing death and Level 5 felony count of driving while suspended-causing death. The charges carry a sentence of up to 18 years in prison.
First-responders from the Hancock County Sheriff’s Department and Greenfield Fire Territory responded to a report of a personal injury accident. Maj. Robert Campbell, chief deputy of the sheriff’s department, said both Terry and Wellenreiter were traveling westbound when Wellenreiter was struck.
Wellenreiter, who lived on County Road 25W, was a few miles from home. Wayne Addison, who was acquainted with him, said he more than likely was out making a morning loop to get some exercise.
Addison said Wellenreiter was “a friendly, kind man.”
“I used to see him out and about and always enjoyed talking to him,” Addison said. “As soon as I heard about it, I just thought it was so very tragic… He’s got a grandson I know he was crazy about.”
Wellenreiter’s LinkedIn profile says he had retired from Eli Lilly and Co.
He is the second bicyclist killed on county roads this summer.
Terry Huff, 67, Anderson, was taken off life support on Aug. 4, nine days after he was struck while riding his bicycle west on State Road 234 west of State Road 9.
Jonathan K. Jacobi, 37, McCordsville, the man accused of hitting Huff’s bicycle and leaving the scene, has been charged with a Level 4 felony count of leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death or catastrophic injury.
Both accidents give officials pause, said Campbell, who reiterated the importance of motorists watching out for cyclists.
“With the increases we’re seeing in the county of bicycles, we’re stressing for all motorists to become more vigilant,” Campbell said. The dynamic between motorist and bicyclist was on full display last weekend, when more than 400 cyclists safely took to the roads for the Hancock Flat 50 ride. The annual event is designed in part to promote safe sharing of the roads.
Terry is expected to make his initial court appearance today after officials from the Hancock County prosecutor’s office file formal charges.
