Vermillion County—This afternoon at 3:50, Indiana State Police and Vermillion County emergency agencies responded to a pickup versus motorcycle crash on State Road 163, just west of SR 63. The crash resulted in serious injuries to the operator of a motorcycle.
Preliminary investigation revealed a 1998 Yamaha Enduro motorcycle, driven by 62-year-old Steven R. Huffman of Clinton, IN., was stopped eastbound on SR 163 at County Road 150 East, to make a left turn onto northbound CR 150 E. The cycle was then struck in the rear by an eastbound red 1998 GMC Sonoma, driven by 23-year-old Levi A. Gossett of Clinton, IN. The impact caused Huffman to be thrown from the motorcycle onto the pavement.
Huffman suffered serious head injuries as he was not wearing a helmet. Bystanders and Gossett performed much needed medical assistance until arrival of Black Diamond Fire/Rescue and Vermillion County EMS personnel. Huffman was initially transported to Union Hospital-Clinton and later airlifted to Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis for severe head trauma.
Initial indications are that distracted driving on the part of Levi Gossett was a factor in this crash. Gossett was not injured. No citations were issued.
The crash was investigated by Trooper Chuck Murphy. Assisting were ISP Master Trooper Don Farris, Vermillion County Sheriff’s Office, Vermillion County EMS, and Black Diamond Fire/Rescue.
