A Lebanon, Indiana resident and former high school swim coach died in a tragic bicycle crash on Saturday morning, July 20, 2013. Duane Swisher, 55 years-old was riding his bicycle in the area of Indiana 32 and U.S. 341 near Jackson, Indiana, which is about 20 miles west of Crawfordsville, Indiana. As he was riding around 8:28 a.m., Duane Swisher was struck by a motor vehicle, believed to be a Jeep, and was taken to St. Elizabeth Hospital in Crawfordsville where he was pronounced deceased as a result of the bicycle accident injuries he had sustained. The cause of this collision is still under investigation.
The Lebanon area is already feeling the loss of Duane Swisher. As a 30 year swim coach at Western Boone High School in Thorntown, Boone County, Indiana, Duane Swisher made a positive impact on the lives of many young people. However, the people who may be feeling the loss the most are Mr. Swisher’s wife and son, Ty Swisher. Ty described his dad as an “epic father” and states “Just keep the good memories, there are so many of them, they’re just coming in endless. I could name everything he’s done and I’d still miss a bunch.”
To add to the tragic events that occurred in central Indiana over the weekend, an Indianapolis pedestrian was hit by an automobile near 21st Street and Meridian Street around 4 p.m. on Friday, July 19, 2013. The Indianapolis pedestrian was taken by ambulance to a local hospital in serious condition, but fortunately, his status was updated to good after receiving treatment at the hospital. Police blocked the 21st and Meridian intersection for about an hour after this incident. The cause of this Indiana pedestrian accident had not yet been revealed to the public, and no further information has been released at this time.
Both of the above-referenced collisions are prime examples of just how exposed bicyclists and pedestrians are on the open road, particularly when involved in an accident with a motor vehicle. The consequences of such crashes can be devastating, which is why it’s so important to be careful when on the road, whether in a car, on a bicycle, or on foot. In most cases, our Indiana bicycle lawyers have found that accidents like these could have been avoided had one or both of the parties been more careful and cautious in the operation of their car or bike.
Caress Law Group’s Indiana bicycle accidents attorneys and Indiana pedestrian lawyers are very sorry to hear of the loss of Duane Swisher in this tragic bike accident. We have seen the number of accidents involving bicycles and pedestrians sky-rocket over the last couple years. We would encourage all on the road to review the Indiana bicycle laws and to make sure when you’re out there, “share the road” and leave at least 3 feet when passing a cyclist in a motor vehicle. Our sincerest thoughts and prayers are with Mr. Swisher’s family and all those in the Lebanon community who knew him.