Rural Rochester – Last night at approximately 8:22 p.m., officers from the Indiana State Police and the Fulton County Sheriff’s Department responded to a crash involving a bicycle and a truck on Old U.S. 31 near Fulton County Road 600 North, in which a Rochester, IN man died.
The preliminary crash investigation by Trooper Todd Trottier revealed that Garret Sommers, 24, Rochester, IN was driving a 2011 Dodge 1500 pickup truck southbound on Old U.S.31 near Fulton County Road 600 North. The Dodge crested a small hill and struck Merle Ramer, 21, Rochester, IN. Ramer was riding a bicycle, southbound, near the centerline.
It was dark at the time of the crash.
Ramer, who was not wearing a helmet, was pronounced dead at the crash scene. Sommers was not injured.
This crash is still under investigation. At this time neither the use of alcohol nor narcotics is suspected as having contributed to the crash.
Trooper Trottier was assisted with the crash investigation by ISP Sergeant Rick Brown., the Rochester Fire Department, and Fulton County EMS.
Two photos attached.
-30-
Slocum
