At approximately 2:40 a.m. Tuesday, officers from the Indiana State Police and the Miami County Sheriff’s Department responded to a two vehicle crash on U.S. 31 near Miami County Road 900 South, in which a Muncie man died.
The preliminary crash investigation by Indiana State Police Trooper Dustin Rutledge revealed that Mark Raines,56, and Terry Smith, 57, both from Muncie, were riding on a 2004 Moskito SZ moped southbound on U.S. 31 near Miami County Road 900 South. The moped was rear-ended by a 2007 Kenworth roll-off dumpster truck driven by John Buckler, 46, of Sweetser.
The crash impact caused Raines and Smith to be ejected from the moped. Smith was then hit by a southbound semi-tractor that did not stop. Smith was pronounced dead at the scene. Raines was flown from the crash scene, via Lutheran Medical Helicopter, to Lutheran Hospital in Ft Wayne. He suffered serious injuries. Buckler was not injured.
Investigators are seeking information about the semi-tractor that allegedly hit Smith and failed to stop. It is believed to be a dark colored semi-tractor, pulling a box trailer, possibly a refrigerator unit. The semi-tractor is possibly a Kenworth. Information can be reported by calling the Indiana State Police Peru Post at 1-765-473-6666.
This is an ongoing investigation.