Morgan Co., IN- Tuesday afternoon, August 28th, at 1:12 p.m., Indiana State Police responded to a motorcycle crash on WB I-70 at the 61.6 mm. (two miles east of SR 39)

Preliminary investigation revealed that Kenneth Kanzius, 56, of Azle, TX was operating his 2008 Harley Davidson motorcycle WB on I-70 in the left lane at the 61.6 mm. According to witness statements and evidence at the scene, Kanzius’s motorcycle struck an orange construction barrel that was in the travel portion of the left lane of I-70 and he was ejected.

The orange barrels are being used to divert traffic during road construction on I-70. The barrels at the time of the crash were in the median off of the road and not being used to divert traffic. Witness statements differ on how the barrel came to be in the roadway. One witness stated a semi in the left lane ‘sucked’ the barrel into the roadway as it passed and another stated a vehicle swerved and struck the barrel knocking it into the left lane.

Kanzius was transported to Wishard Hospital with head injuries. He was not wearing a helmet.

So far this year in Indiana, 109 motorcycle or moped riders have lost their lives in crashes. Of the 109 deaths, 89 were not wearing a helmet. In 2011, there were 118 total deaths involving a motorcycle or moped rider.  Of the 118 deaths, 100 were not wearing a helmet.

Investigating Officers: Master Trooper David Furnas, Sergeant David Cox

Assisting Agencies: Liberty Township Fire Department, Hendricks County Sheriff’s Department