Juvenile killed, 2 adults critically injured in hit-and-run crash on near southeast side of Indianapolis

INDIANAPOLIS — A juvenile was killed and two adults were critically injured in a crash on the near southeast side of Indianapolis Wednesday night.

According to the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department, officers with a different agency were in the area of South State Avenue and East Raymond Street around 9:15 p.m. — about the same time the crash occurred at. Those officers subsequently located the crash scene and notified IMPD about it.

When IMPD officers made it to the area, they found two vehicles and a bicycle that had been involved in a crash. After speaking with a witness, police learned the driver of a Dodge Charger likely caused the crash.

Detectives believe the crash happened when the driver of the Charger — who was travelling eastbound at a high rate of speed — disregarded a red light. When the Charger’s driver ran the red light, they struck the other car involved in the crash and the bicycle.

IMPD confirmed that a man was riding the bicycle at the time of the crash. He was also pulling a tow-behind trailer with a juvenile in it when the crash happened.

“The bicyclist was in the crosswalk,” IMPD Night Watch Captain Don Weilhammer said. “(He) had the walk symbol. The driver of the other vehicle that was struck by the Charger had the green light. So, the bicyclist was well out, almost to the median crossing it. So, it wasn’t a thing where they were trying to beat the light. It had been a solid red for quite some time, enough time for the light to turn green. And the other car was obviously out in the intersection as well.”

Police reported that the juvenile was transported from the scene to Riley Hospital after the crash. IMPD confirmed that the juvenile was pronounced dead around 10 p.m.

The driver of the car that was struck by the Charger’s driver and the man on the bike were also transported to area hospitals after the crash. Police indicated that both individuals are currently in critical condition.

IMPD reported that the Charger’s driver fled the scene on foot after the crash. The Charger was still at the scene when a FOX59/CBS4 crew made it to the intersection of South State Avenue and East Raymond Street.

Police reported that they deployed K-9 units to search for the Charger’s driver, but as of 11:44 p.m., the suspect had not been located. IMPD indicated that its officers have made contact with a person who claimed to have video of the crash. Police are currently working to obtain and review the video.

IMPD is encouraging those with information on the crash to call investigators at (317) 327-2630. Alternatively, tipsters who wish to remain anonymous can contact Crime Stoppers of Central Indiana by calling (317) 262-8477, using the P3Tips mobile app or visiting www.CrimeTips.org.

“All this could’ve been avoided if we would do the speed limit and pay attention to the lights,” Weilhammer said. “Slow down, we have two families that are definitely going to be affected by this tragedy. It all could’ve been avoided if they weren’t speeding and hadn’t disregarded the red light.”