The following notice was released by Shelby County Sheriff Louie Koch on Wednesday morning...

It is with great regret to report the motorcyclist who was involved in the fatal crash on I-74 near the S.R. 9 exit Wednesday morning was Deputy Jay L. Griffith Jr. 

Deputy Griffith was off duty at the time of the crash.  He began his career with the Shelby County Sheriff’s Department in June of 2013.

Deputy Griffith’s passing is an immense loss to the Shelby County Sheriff’s Department and our community in which he lived and served. I want to share my condolences with Jay’s family friends and colleagues, he will be greatly missed.

Please respect the Griffith Family’s privacy during this very difficult time.

Louie Koch

Sheriff

Shelby County Sheriff Department

Release from Indiana State Police investigating the accident

A motorcyclist was killed Wednesday morning in a single motorcycle crash on I-74 near State Road 9.

Just after 3:30 am, deputies from the Shelby County Sheriff's Office, along with troopers from the Indiana State Police responded to reports of a single motorcycle crash westbound on I-74 at the 113 mile marker. When deputies arrived they found an adult male pinned under the motorcycle.  He was unconscious and unresponsive. Despite life saving efforts by first responders, the man was pronounced deceased at the scene. 

Preliminary investigation by Indiana State Police Crash Reconstructionists determined the motorcyclist was westbound on I-74 and exited onto the ramp to State Road 9. For unknown reasons the motorcyclist applied the brakes and began to skid. The motorcycle fell over and trapped the rider underneath. The motorcyclist was wearing a helmet.

Deputy Jay L. Griffith Jr., 37,  was off duty at the time of the crash and was participating in a multi-state motorcycle ride with a large group of other motorcyclists. The ride had just started in Shelbyville when the crash occurred. 

The investigation into the circumstances of the crash is ongoing.