Rich Van Wyk/Eyewitness News
Covington - Seeing the mangled bicycles and debris on the highway, one lawman called it a tragedy that strikes the heart of all of us.
Indiana State Police Sergeant Joe Watts is a spokesman for the investigators. He said, "Those are our buddies. Those are their buddies. So, everybody is doing as well as expected."
Indiana State Police Lieutenant Gary Dudley and former Lake County Police Chief Gary Martin of Merrillville were both killed and retired IPD officer Spencer Moore was injured and hospitalized.
Sergeant Watts continued, "We're doing the best we can. The investigation will be objective and thorough."
A Town Aire freight truck, investigators say, rammed the slower and much smaller support truck, shooting it through the pack of ten cyclists. Investigators aren't certain yet how fast the trucks were traveling on State Road 63, where the speed limit is 60 mph.
"All I can tell you is that the bicycles and the support vehicle were occupying portions of the south bound driving lane, the right hand lane," said Sergeant Watts.
But police say the support truck carried a warning sign, its flashing traffic safety lights on.
The cyclists are among a group of 39 mostly police officers and retired police officers. They left Indianapolis last week on an 1,100 mile journey across the state raising money and awareness for the families of police officers killed in the line of duty.
"I've talked with many survivors on my way down here and they're just, they just don't know what to say. The whole Indiana law enforcement community and their families are just devastated by this loss today (Tuesday)," said Danny Overley of the Fraternal Order of Police.
The accident occurred halfway through the cyclists' statewide journey. Now police officers committed to helping others need help themselves.
The survivors met Tuesday evening at a Terre Haute hotel to discuss the accident. The decision has been made to not continue the ride. Sergenat Dave Bursten says there will be a ceremony at some point in the future during which the proceeds of the shortened ride will be presented.
The truck drivers involved were both treated and released from a local hospital. The State Police investigation is underway and could take several weeks. When completed the results will be turned over to the Vermillion County prosecutor's office.
Investigators are also seeking the public's help. They are asking anyone who might have seen the riders just prior to the accident to call them.
The charity riders left Indianapolis last week to raise money for the families of fallen officers.
The crash happened around 12:30 Tuesday afternoon on SR 63 near Covington, Indiana.
Two survivors heading for the bus that will take them to Terre Haute, their original destination.
Lt. Gary Dudley
Former Lake County Police Chief Gary Martin
All content © Copyright 2000 - 2013 WorldNow and WTHR. For more information on this site, please read our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.
