Investigators: Driver who hit bicyclists was drunk
MADISON COUNTY, Ind. (WISH) — Investigators say the driver who hit one car then two bicyclists had been drinking, and now one of the bicyclists is fighting for her life.
Major Joey Cole with the Madison County Sheriff’s Office said 57-year-old Michael Shriver of Fort Wayne has been preliminarily charged with three counts of OWI causing serious bodily injury. The incident happened around 1:30 p.m. at the intersection of State Road 13 and County Road 800 South near Pendleton.
Investigators said Shriver was westbound on CR 800 S when he ran a stop sign. They said he hit a southbound vehicle on State Road 13 driven by Jaceqline Hall of Pendleton.
After striking her car, investigators said his vehicle continued west and hit two bicyclists. One of the bicyclists, a 42-year-old Angela Bostrom of Noblesville, was airlifted to IU Methodist in critical condition with a brain hemorrhage. The other bicyclist, a 47-year-old Sandra Kennison of Indianapolis, is in stable condition at St. Vincent Hospital. Investigators said she suffered a neck injury and fractured arm.
Hall was in stable condition at IU Methodist with minor injuries.
“I always wear a helmet, that’s first and foremost,” said bicyclist Dan Cook. “I have a rearview mirror so I’m aware of the cars behind me over my shoulder.”
But just because he puts safety first doesn’t mean those on the road around him do.
“Some people are going to be aware of cyclists and some aren’t and so I have to be aware of them,” he said.
Unfortunately, awareness might not have been enough to keep two bicyclists out of harm’s way in Madison County. Investigators said Shriver ran a stop sign on County Road 800 South hit a car traveling on State Road 13 then ran into the two bicyclists.
“I don’t know that the cyclists anticipate that and take evasive action. That’s tragic,” said Cook.
The stretch of pavement near the intersection is no stranger to tragedy. This intersection is about 100 south from where a 14-year-old was killed in April. The teen was walking along the State Road 13 when investigators said he entered the roadway, was hit by a car, then died.
“You got the truck drivers, you got cars going fast. They did reduce the speed limit which is a good thing but I still think there’s more other things that they could do out here,” said Natasha Kirkwood of Lapel.
A representative with the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) said it was already conducting a safety audit on the area before Resler’s death. Last month, the speed limit from Country Road 800 South up to County Road 700 South was dropped from 55 mph to 45 mph. Next year, INDOT plans to add stop lights for the ramps leading on and off I-69. But INDOT said adding bike lanes or trails in the area is up to the county or nearest town.
“It just is a sad reminder that as a cyclist, I have to be really cautious and really aware of what the vehicle drivers are doing,” said Cook.
INDOT said a stop light analysis for the intersection where today’s crash happened was part of their safety audit. but it was determined that no stop light was needed.