“As the temperatures rise around Memorial Day, there is also a disturbing rise in ATV-related deaths and injuries."From a written report received Monday evening:
Richard D. Connelly, Jr., age 57, of Fort Wayne, Indiana died as a result of injuries sustained in a crash involving his vehicle and a northbound SUV on State Road 3 in Markle, IN. Monday afternoon.
Mr. Connelly was pronounced dead at the scene.
Preliminary reports indicate Mr. Connelly's vehicle, for reasons unknown at this time, drifted left of center and into the path of a vehicle operated by Michael W. Gillespie, age 32, of Montpelier, IN. A third vehicle driven by Robert Williford, age 46, of Angola, IN, following the Gillespie vehicle, was struck by the Connelly vehicle following impact with the Gillespie vehicle.
Gillespie suffered minor injuries, but declined medical assistance.
Williford and passenger both were uninjured.
Southbound traffic on SR3 was closed for several hours during the investigation.
The investigation into the crash is continuing at this time. The coroner's office was assisted by the Huntington County Sheriff's Department, Markle Police Department, Markle Volunteer Fire Department, Wells County EMS and Huntington County Emergency Management Agency.
