Motorcycle rider injured in North Vernon crash

A motorcyclist from Hope was flown to the hospital after a crash involving an intoxicated driver yesterday morning in North Vernon.

The North Vernon Police Department is reporting that the crash happened on South State and West College Streets at about 9:45 a.m. Sunday  when a passenger car turned in front of Michael D. Harden’s motorcycle. Harden was thrown from the cycle.

According to police and witnesses, the driver of the car, 44-year-old Aaron Malan of North Vernon, began swallowing items that turned out to be a prescription medication that Malan did not have a prescription for. More yellow pills were found near his vehicle. He was also allegedly carrying marijuana and drug paraphernalia and admitted to police that he had been taking drugs before the crash.

Malan was first taken to St. Vincent Jennings Hospital to be checked out and then arrested on preliminary charges of operating a motor vehicle under the influence of a controlled substance, resisting Law Enforcement, obstruction of justice, legend drug deception and for possession of the marijuana, controlled substance and paraphernalia.