ISP Sellersburg Investigating Fatal Memorial Day Crash

Campbellsburg - Troopers from Indiana State Police - Sellersburg are investigating a fatal car versus motorcycle crash that occurred Monday evening on a rural county road in northwestern Washington County. 

Around 8:49 Monday evening, Troopers Kyle Taylor and Eric Powers, along with units from the Washington County Sheriff's Department, Washington County EMS, and the Campbellsburg Fire Department, responded to a crash in the 7000 block of North White River Road.  When units arrived, they found two vehicles, a green 2000 Suzuki motorcycle and a 2001 Mercury Mountaineer SUV, off the east side of the roadway.  The driver of the motorcycle, Jacob W. Lengel, 31, of Salem, Indiana, was pronounced dead at the scene.  The driver of the Mountaineer, a 17-year-old male from Campbellsburg, Indiana, was not injured. 

An Indiana State Police crash reconstruction team was called to assist.  After a preliminary investigation, officers believe the motorcycle was southbound on White River Road and traveling at a high rate of speed.  Investigators say the bike went left-of-center after rounding a corner and cresting a hill.  Evidence at the scene indicates the driver of the northbound SUV attempted to avoid striking the motorcycle; however, both vehicles hit head-on on the east side of the roadway. 

Investigators remained on-scene until approximately 1 a.m. on Tuesday.

Alcohol is believed to be a factor in this crash.

This crash is still under investigation.