Peru – Yesterday at approximately 6:24 p.m., officers from the Indiana State Police responded to a two vehicle crash on U.S. 24 at Paw Paw Pike, which injured a Peru Man.
The Preliminary crash investigation by Trooper Caleb Clark revealed that Bryce Eckelbarger, 82, Peru, IN, was driving a 1983 Honda motorcycle northbound on Paw Paw Pike, approaching U.S. 24. The motorcycle stopped at a stop sign at the intersection of U.S. 24. The motorcycle crossed the eastbound lanes of U.S. 24 and allegedly failed to yield at the median crossover. The Honda turned into the westbound lanes of U.S. 24. The motorcycle was rear ended by a westbound 1997 Freightliner semi-tractor driven by Thomas Dircksen, 66, Minister, OH. The semi-tractor was pulling a live stock trailer loaded with hogs. The crash impact caused the motorcycle to travel into the median, ejecting Eckelbarger. Dircksen was able to pull the semi-tractor onto the outer berm. None of the live stock was lost.
Eckelbarger was airlifted from the crash scene by Lutheran Air Helicopter to Lutheran Hospital in Ft. Wayne. He suffered a severe leg injury. Eckelbarger was wearing a helmet which trooper Clark believes prevented more serious injuries in the crash. Dircksen was not injured.
This crash is still under investigation but at this time neither the use of alcohol nor narcotics is suspected as having contributed to this crash.
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