LaGrange County man collides with herd of horses killing one

LAGRANGE, Ind.-- A man is recovering from being badly injured after hitting a herd of horses with his Harley. 

The victim, 53-year-old Truman Ritchie Jr., just got out of surgery merely 3 hours ago. It was on the corner of US 20 and County Road 300, a around three a.m. that he told police he was unable to avoid the collision. 

I'm told by his wife, Bethel Ritchie, that he wasn't wearing a helmet at the time but luckily suffered no head or spine trauma. 

Owner of the horses, Mary Otto, says she's sad her youngest horse, Firefly, was killed but is happy that it's not the other way around. 

"I just hope the guy that got hit, I hope he's going to be ok. That's our main thing. And we just hope to the person that got hit is going to be ok, she says. 

I'm told by his wife Truman loved his bike, and would do anything for anyone.

She also believes this isn't the first time the horses have gotten loose.

The Otto family is still unsure how the gate was left open and they don't blame Ritchie Jr. for what happened.

“He was driving down the road, It’s his road as much as it is ours and it's not his fault the horses got out.”

Ritchie Jr. is currently at Parkview Regional Hospital in Fort Wayne and his wife shared he is expected to be OK over time.