Published: August 14, 2008 10:34 am      

Topeka man killed in crash

A Topeka man was killed Wednesday when his mo-ped struck another vehicle in LaGrange County at 2:51 p.m.

According to LaGrange County police, William John Becker, 19, 5455 W. 600 South, Topeka, was driving his mo-ped northbound on 500 West under rainy conditions.

Police indicated Becker reportedly failed to stop at the 200 North intersection and collided with a second vehicle heading westbound on 200 North.

Becker, who was reported to have been wearing a helmet at the time, suffered fatal injuries from the collision. The mo-ped was totaled.

The driver of the second vehicle, Grant F. Newcomer, 35, 1320 E. Country Lane, Shipshewana, suffered a minor injury and was treated and released at the scene.

Damage to Newcomer’s vehicle, a 1991 Honda, was reported at between $1,000 and $5,000.

According to police, weather was a factor in the collision.

The collision was investigated by the LaGrange County Sheriff’s Department with assistance from the Shipshewana First Responders, the LaGrange Paramedics and Indiana State Police.