Victim still scarred after Elkhart hit and run

ELKHART, Ind. - Harley Inbody was riding his bike to work along County Road 24 west of Charlotte Avenue on the morning of August 24th when he was struck by a passing car.

"I glanced behind me and I saw headlights and then I just kept riding, waiting for them to pass me,” Inbody described.  “They hit me from behind."

Inbody fell on the side of the road, the car just kept driving. 

"As far as I know, they didn't even slow down,” Inbody explained.  “When I stood up, they were quite a ways away from me and they were still going."

He was covered in blood and immediately realized his wrist had been shattered.  Despite the shock he was able to call 911, an ambulance and police responded quickly and took him to Elkhart General Hospital.  He had multiple cuts and scrapes all over his body.

"I also had a facial fracture…which makes it hard to talk for long periods of time and eat," he described.

But, that's not the worst injury he received.

"Broken wrist here, lots of abrasions all over the place on my hand,” he said, pointing to the cast on his hand.

The hospital told him he hadn’t suffered any internal injuries and sent him home to his wife and three children.

"My six-year old definitely shied away from me for about the first day, but she's come around," he described.

The injuries have affected his family life.

"My kids want me to do stuff with them, I can hardly take care of them,” he explained.  “I have a three-year-old, I can't lift her up."

He’s also unable to provide for his family.

“I’m going to be out of work for at least six-weeks,” he explained.  “My job right now is a production job and I can’t use my hand, I can’t lift anything over five-pounds right now.”

Sheriff’s deputies found pieces of the car that struck Inbody.  He says lab reports have been inconclusive and deputies have been unable to locate the car.  He just wants his experience to be a lesson to driver to be watchful for bicyclists.  He also wants the driver to come forward.

“I hope they’d be responsible for what they did.  Overall, I’m generally OK. I’m going to have problems with my hand, probably for the rest of my life,” he explained.  “That could’ve been a child out there riding their bike for all they knew.”

There is a benefit sale for Inbody and his family on September 16th through the 18th at 600 James Street in Elkhart.

The Elkhart Sheriff’s Department is asking for any tips in the case.  Pieces of the car found on scene indicate it has a yellow paint-job and will likely have signs of damage.  Inbody says it wasn’t a large vehicle, like a truck or SUV, but couldn’t get a better description after being hit.  Anyone with information is asked to call 574.533.4151.