A Berne, Indiana police officer struck an unconscious person lying in the roadway late Saturday night while responding to a separate crash incident. According to the Indiana State Police (ISP), the incident occurred at approximately 10:45 p.m. on Saturday on Hendricks Street, near the Wind Ridge Trail intersection. The officer had been dispatched to investigate a suspicious person involved in a prior crash, during which one individual was reported lying unconscious in the road. The victim, who was wearing dark clothing, was partially in the roadway when the responding officer, while searching for another person connected to the original crash, struck the unconscious individual. Upon impact, the officer immediately halted, called for emergency medical assistance, and rendered aid to the victim until additional help arrived on scene. The identities of both the officer and the victim have not been released pending the ongoing investigation by ISP. The victim's current condition has not been publicly disclosed.

Location and Infrastructure

The incident took place on Hendricks Street near Wind Ridge Trail in Berne, Indiana, a small city in Adams County in northeastern Indiana. Berne, with a population of approximately 4,000 residents, features a mix of residential neighborhoods and local roadways typical of smaller Midwestern communities. Hendricks Street in this area is a local road that borders residential developments, including the Wind Ridge Trail vicinity. Nighttime visibility in such areas can be significantly reduced due to limited street lighting, and the presence of a person in dark clothing lying partially in the roadway would have presented a serious hazard for any oncoming driver or emergency responder. These conditions — low light, an unexpected road obstruction, and an active multi-party incident — are factors that investigators will likely examine closely.

Legal Rights and Considerations

Under Indiana law, victims injured in traffic incidents — including those involving emergency vehicles — may have grounds to pursue civil claims depending on the circumstances. While emergency responders are afforded certain legal protections under Indiana's sovereign immunity statutes (Indiana Code § 34-13-3), those protections are not absolute and may not apply if negligence is established. The victim or their representatives should be aware that Indiana's statute of limitations for personal injury claims is generally two years from the date of injury under IC § 34-11-2-4. Potential compensation in such cases may include medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and rehabilitation costs. Given the involvement of a municipal officer and a government entity, claims may need to be filed through specific tort claim notice procedures. Consulting with a licensed Indiana attorney who handles personal injury or civil rights matters is strongly advised to understand all applicable rights.

Related Resources

Emergency Services

• Berne Police Department: (260) 589-3131
• Adams County Sheriff's Office: (260) 724-5353
• Adams Memorial Hospital (Decatur, IN – nearest major facility): (260) 724-2145
• Indiana State Police – Fort Wayne Post: (260) 432-8661

Traffic Safety Resources

• Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT): in.gov/dot
• Indiana Criminal Justice Institute – Traffic Safety Division: in.gov/cji

Support Services for Accident Victims

• Indiana Legal Services (free civil legal aid): indianalegalservices.org
• Indiana Victim Assistance Network: invan.org
• Adams County Community Foundation (local support resources): (260) 724-3939

State Laws and Regulations

• Indiana Code on Traffic Regulations (Title 9): iga.in.gov
• Indiana Tort Claims Act (IC § 34-13-3): iga.in.gov
• Indiana Personal Injury Statute of Limitations (IC § 34-11-2-4): iga.in.gov