CLAY CO., Ill. - A young Olney man learned the hard way last night that when cycling on a major highway, lights on the bike need to be operational.
An accident between the cyclist and a passing motorist from Flora occurred on Old U.S. Highway 50 just east of Airport Road in Flora last night (Saturday, September 29) at 7:46 p.m.
Illinois State Police advise that Dallas L. Harmon, 24, of Olney, was on a bicycle traveling eastbound on 50 east of Airport Road without any lighting on his bicycle.
Carroll L. Colclasure, 77, of Flora, driving a tan 2001 Pontiac, was also traveling eastbound on 50 at that location. His Pontiac struck the back of the bicycle and Harmon was ejected off the bike.
Harmon was transported to Clay County Hospital in Flora before being transported via helicopter to Deaconess Hospital in Evansville, Ind. He was later transported to the University of Indiana Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis.
Both Harmon and Colclasure were cited; Harmon was ticketed for Operating a Bicycle Without Lighting During Nighttime; Colclasure with Operating a Motor Vehicle with an Expired Driver's License.
There's been no word on Harmon's condition at this time.