Classmates remember bicyclist killed in crash

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - A 17-year-old Decatur Central High School student died after being hit by a truck Monday night while riding his bicycle through a busy intersection on the southwest side.

Tuesday, students signed a memorial wall at the school in remembrance of Eduard Whetstone.

Rebecca Snyder counted Whetstone as one of her closest friends.

"He was on the way to his girlfriend's house last night. My friend talked to him about 7:35-ish," Snyder said.

But Whetstone never made it. A truck hit him at the intersection of Kentucky Avenue and Heathrow Way, only a few blocks away from the school.

Police said the truck had the green light, the teenager had the red. There was speculation that police couldn't confirm that Whetstone might have been listening to his iPod while riding his bike. Rebecca Snyder said that's entirely possible.

"He always carried his iPod...riding his bike...yea, that would be Eduard," said Snyder.

Dr. Suzanne O'Connor is an Indianapolis audiologist who said music players and ear buds can be a dangerous combination.

"If you're listening to music and really jamming to a song, and tuning out the real world, you might lose focus about what's going on around you," said Dr. O'Connor.

She said you need to take precautions. The rule of thumb, said Dr. O'Connor, is to keep the music at a level where you can still hear all the sounds around you and conversation as well.

Police said the driver of the truck will not be charged. They said it was just one of those tragic accidents that happen.

Bicycle Indiana released a statement Monday urging all cyclists to use caution, saying, "knowing how to ride a bike safely is as important as knowing how to drive safely."