Published: September 23, 2008 12:06 am         

Five injured in three-motorcycle collision

Five people were injured Monday when three motorcycles collided at a construction zone on a Parke County road, State Police reported.

Around 9 a.m., three motorcycles traveling together northbound on U.S. 41 about three miles north of Rockville approached the Hilltop Road intersection, where the highway was restricted to one lane because of roadside construction.

When a flagwoman signaled for the group to stop, the last cycle failed to stop, striking the second motorcycle in the rear and forcing it into the rear of the first motorcycle.

A woman who was riding as a passenger on the last motorcycle was thrown and landed on the flagwoman.

The first driver, Alan Baugher, 69, of Claypool, suffered right arm and leg injuries and was taken to West Central Community Hospital in Clinton. Sally Little, 57, of Claypool was a passenger on Baugher’s motorcycle. She was taken to the Clinton hospital with a broken arm and hip pain.

The driver of the middle cycle, Bruce Bottorff, 57, of Plymouth, was not injured. Janis Bottorff, 58, of Plymouth, a passenger on the middle cycle, was taken to St. Clair Hospital in Crawfordsville complaining of back pain.

The driver of the third motorcycle, John Snyder, 65, of Milford, was not injured. His passenger, Sharon Ermi, 64, of Milford was taken to the Clinton hospital complaining of pain and weakness.

Flagwoman Amber Rice, 27, of Lafayette was taken to the Crawfordsville hospital complaining of ankle and hand pain. Rice was working for Milestone Paving, a private contractor.

The accident was investigated by Trooper Tim Rader, assisted by Trooper Brandon Mullen, Parke County Sheriff’s Deputy Jim Awbrey, Rockville Police Department, Parke County EMS and the Bloomingdale Fire Department.

All the parties were wearing helmets and alcohol was not a factor in the crash. No citations were issued.