RIPLEY CO. – Thursday afternoon a two-vehicle crash on State Road 129 near Versailles, Indiana claimed the life of a Ripley County motorcyclist.
The initial investigation by Troopers with the Indiana State Police-Versailles Crash Reconstruction Team indicated that shortly before 5:00 p.m., a 2007 Kenworth pulling a trailer, being driven by Wayne K. Schmidt, 54, of Sunman, Indiana was traveling south on State Road 129 near Benham Road in Ripley County, Indiana. Schmidt’s vehicle slowed to turn left into a private driveway. A second vehicle, traveling behind Schmidt’s vehicle, slowed to turn right.
A 2017 Yamaha motorcycle, being driven by Devon A. Lewis, 18, of Canaan, Indiana was traveling south on State Road 129 behind the second vehicle. As Schmidt’s vehicle began to make the turn, Lewis pulled out to pass both vehicles on the left side. Lewis’ motorcycle struck the driver’s side of Schmidt’s vehicle that was in the process of turning.
Lewis was ejected from the motorcycle during the collision. He was transported from the scene to Margaret Mary Community Health for treatment. Lewis was soon pronounced deceased due to injuries sustained in the crash. Schmidt was not injured in the crash.
Alcohol and drugs are not suspected to be factors in the crash although toxicology results are pending.
The investigation is ongoing.
Troopers from the Indiana State Police-Versailles Post were assisted by the Indiana State Police-Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division, Ripley County Sheriff’s Department, Ripley County EMS, Versailles Fire Department, Ripley County Coroner’s Office, and Affordable Todd’s Wrecker Service.
