INDIANAPOLIS — On Sunday night, the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department said a man was hit and killed while riding his bicycle on South Emerson Avenue.
David Muck, who lives on Emerson, says his security cameras recorded the accident. Muck tells WRTV, he's not surprised this happened.
"It's an ongoing, reoccurring problem. That's all the time," Muck said.
He believes the reason behind the deadly crash has to do with how the road is setup.
If you're heading north on Emerson Avenue, crossing Raymond Street, it shifts from two lanes to one lane, causing a bottleneck effect. Muck said cars drive too fast at this merge, making it unsafe for bicyclists and those walking along the road.
"I believe they, the driver, was looking to see that they could cut over by beating the cars in the west lane and did not see the biker and hit him," Muck said.
IMPD says this deadly crash, and others that happened over the last several days, are a reminder for everyone to pay attention.
"It's extremely important that we be responsible drivers, take the time to slow down, watch what you're doing," Officer William Young said. "Pedestrians have a responsibility, too, making sure you're walking in the crosswalks and walking toward oncoming traffic."
Muck hopes someone from the city sees the issues happening along Emerson Avenue and decide to make changes to what he and his neighbors know to be a dangerous road.
"Either take out that lane to where it's not there to give people the opportunity to go through there or just make it two lanes all the way down," he said.
The Indianapolis Department of Public Works says its fatal crash review team will review the case to determine if any changes to the roadway would help prevent future crashes.
The full statement from DPW's spokesperson Ben Easley is below.
I believe the most substantive change to come out of this tragic situation will be via our Fatal Crash Review Team. This is the group that was recently formalized via updates to the city’s Complete Streets ordinance, and it is comprised of representatives from the engineering, law enforcement and planning teams inside the City agencies as well as several members of the community. After any criminal investigation is complete as to the specifics of the crash (unruly driving, disregard for current traffic infrastructure, etc.), this Fatal Crash Review Team will further examine the circumstances of the crash for any recommendations that might be made to change the engineered environment.
What we don’t want is to rush into the additions of infrastructure that don’t adequately address the issue; or worse create a clutter of signage to the point that--as research suggests—drivers may become numb to its intended impact.
-
Police: Man fatally shot in Columbus; shooter says victim attacked him
An investigation is underway after a man was fatally shot at a home in Columbus Monday morning, with the shooter claiming he was attacked by the victim.
Off-duty Lawrence police officer arrested for driving while intoxicated
An off-duty Lawrence police officer was arrested over the weekend after he showed signs of impairment during a traffic stop.
Jury trial begins for mom accused in death of 5-year-old Kinsleigh Welty
The mother charged with murder in the “horrific” death of her 5-year-old daughter Kinsleigh Welty will appear in court Monday for the start of her jury trial.
Rain early, cloudy afternoon, more rain chances midweek
Rain comes to an end later this morning. Lots of clouds through the day today with breezy conditions.
