Published: May 15, 2009 10:34 pm         

Semi, moped crash leaves Linton man dead

Linton — A Linton man died Thursday night after his moped was struck by a semitrailer truck.

Robert Simon, 47, suffered fatal injuries when he was thrown from his 2008 Yamaha cycle. Greene County Sheriff’s Deputy Aaron Smith reported that Simon was driving west on County Road 400 South when the motor bike did not stop at the intersection with Indiana 67.

James Johnson, 67, of Elberfeld, told Smith he saw the moped approaching and not stopping, so he swerved his 2005 Volvo semi to miss the moped, but was unable to avoid it. The truck struck the front passenger tire of the cycle. Simon, who was not wearing a helmet, was thrown off the moped.

Smith reported that Johnson’s truck was inspected by a motor carrier officer and passed inspection. Speed did not appear to be a factor in the accident.

Also assisting at the accident scene were officers from the Worthington and Lyons police departments, Lyons and Greene County fire departments, Greene County Ambulance Service and Greene County Coroner Brian Gainey.