Indiana Cyclists Slain in Motor Vehicle Accident

2 dead, 3 injured during charity bike ride

By KEN KUSMER
Associated Press Writer

COVINGTON, Ind. (AP) ? A vehicle hit by a truck slammed into charity bicyclists Tuesday, killing a state trooper and a sheriff?s deputy and injuring three other riders, police said.
Indiana State Police spokesman Sgt. Joe Watts said several police agencies were participating in the ride. The group was traveling south on Indiana 63 about two miles from Interstate 74 in Vermillion County near the Indiana-Illinois state line.
Riders were raising money for survivors of police officers killed while on duty.
Karen Shelton, director of operations for the Indiana Troopers Association, said a state trooper and a Lake County Sheriff?s deputy were both killed during the accident. Their names were not immediately released.
The troopers organization hosted the riders during part of their trip last week.
?They were all very upbeat when they were here Friday night,? she said. ?They do this on their own time which I think is admirable.?
About 30 bicyclists planned to ride portions of 1,100 miles over 13 days, while eight were planning to trek the entire route. The ride began Aug. 16 and was to end Aug. 28 in Indianapolis at Crown Hill Cemetery?s ?Heroes of Public Safety.?
The group was planning to ride 98 miles from Kentland in Newton County south to Terre Haute on Tuesday, according to their schedule.
Money raised supports Indiana Concerns of Police Survivors, which provides support for families of officers killed in the line of duty and helps send them to Washington, D.C., for annual memorial services.
Newslinks:
http://www.officer.com/article/article.jsp?siteSection=1&id=32236
http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060822/NEWS01/60822030/1006
http://cbs2chicago.com/topstories/local_story_234142415.html
http://www.cyclelicio.us/

A prayer would be appropriate for the families of the fallen officers.