Indiana Conservation Officers are investigating an off-road vehicle (ORV) accident that occurred yesterday in Merom.

At approximately 8:11 p.m., Sullivan County Sheriff’s Department Dispatch received a 911 call reporting an ORV had collided with a truck on 3rd Street just north of State Road 58.

Witnesses reported the ORV travelling recklessly at a high rate of speed prior to the accident.

The operator of the ORV, Timothy J. Porras, 29, of Merom, was ejected from the ORV in the accident and was airlifted to Sidney & Lois Eskenazi Hospital in Indianapolis in serious condition.

No safety equipment was utilized at the time of the accident and alcohol is a possible contributing factor. The incident is still under investigation.

Indiana Conservation Officers remind the public that ORV operators and passengers should always wear a helmet, protective riding gear, and use all ORV safety restraints.

For information on ORV laws and safe operating procedures, please visit offroad-ed.com/in/handbook/ and on.IN.gov/offroading.

Assisting agencies include Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office, Carlise Town Marshal, Sullivan County Ambulance Team, Gill Township Fire Department, Haddon Township Fire Department, and Air Evac Life Team 39.

To view all DNR news releases, please see dnr.IN.gov.