Ohio man dies in Switzerland County crash

Ohio man flees police, dies in crash

Photo Thanks to Indiana State Police

Vevay-Yesterday, July 14^th, an Ohio man died in a motorcycle crash after fleeing from law enforcement in Switzerland County, Indiana.

Shortly before 9:00 pm last night, the Switzerland County Sheriff’s Office received a call stating a possible intoxicated person was leaving the Belterra Casino on a motorcycle.  The vehicle was reported to be traveling westbound on State Road 156 towards Vevay, Indiana.  Officers with the Switzerland County Sheriff’s Office and Vevay Police Department soon located the vehicle and attempted to conduct a traffic stop on the motorcycle after traffic violations were observed.

The 2000 Honda motorcycle, being driven by Richard Alan Owens, age 53, Hillsboro, Ohio, fled from the officers westbound on State Road 56 towards Jefferson County.  The officers soon lost sight of the motorcycle and slowed their speed.  Soon after losing sight of the vehicle, the officers located the motorcycle crashed along State Road 56 near Green Valley Road which is at the Switzerland/Jefferson County line.  Owens was found nearby after he had been thrown from the motorcycle during the crash. The officers attempted to render first aid to Owens however he was unable to be revived.

Owens sustained fatal injuries in the crash and was pronounced deceased at the scene by the Jefferson County Coroner’s Office.

The Indiana State Police-Versailles Crash Reconstruction Team responded to conduct the investigation into the crash. 

The investigation is ongoing. Toxicology results are pending at this time.

Richard Owens’ family has been notified.    

The Indiana State Police was assisted by the Switzerland County Sheriff’s Office, Vevay Police Department, Switzerland County EMS, Jeff-Craig Fire Department, Jefferson County Coroner’s Office, and Switzerland County Coroner’s Office.