A Muncie pedestrian is in critical condition after a collision with a car on Bethel Avenue.
A 1998 Ford Explorer driven by Muncie resident James Covington struck Nicole Bauerle at approximately 10:15 p.m. Friday. Ball State Admissions office couldn't say if Bauerle is currently a student or not.
Bauerle, 24, was transported to IU Health Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis for further treatment.
Muncie police officer Gary Vannatta said Bauerle's most severe injuries were located in the abdomen and pelvic regions. She is currently in the recovery ward of Methodist Hospital, though a hospital official did not comment on her current physical state.
"She's in neurocritical care," Methodist Hospital public relations representative Abigail Gras said. "The only information that I can release is that she's in critical condition."
The incident occurred as Bauerle was crossing Bethel Avenue, northeast of the university, while Covington, 37, was accelerating after being stopped at a stop sign. Bauerle was not crossing at an intersection when she was struck by the SUV.
"I had just left the stop sign where Bethel and Centennial connect and I had looked both ways to check for traffic," Covington said. "Then, like right after I hit the gas, there she was in the middle of the street. She was right in the middle of the street where the center turn lane is. I don't know where she came from."
The crash took place prior to a large thunderstorm and, as a result, measurements could not be taken before the rain had washed the evidence away, though the investigating officer and Covington do not believe speed to be a factor.
Even though Covington said Bauerle was holding a beer bottle, no alcohol was found in her system. Covington voluntarily took the blood alcohol content test himself, with no alcohol found.
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