The father of Indiana basketball legend Damon Bailey was killed in a motorcycle crash Monday afternoon and his mother was seriously injured, authorities said.
Wendell Bailey was pronounced dead at the scene in the southern Indiana city of Nashville, according to the Brown County Sheriff’s Office. Beverly Bailey was seriously injured and was airlifted to an area hospital, the Indianapolis Star reported.
According to a news release from the sheriff’s office, a 2005 Nissan Altima driven by Jacob Waltermire tried to pass a tractor-trailer when he observed an oncoming motorcycle, WXIN reported. Waltermire returned to his lane but overcorrected and lost control of his vehicle, the sheriff’s office said.
Wendell Bailey, the dad of former #iubb star and state basketball hall-of-famer Damon Bailey, was killed in a motorcycle accident Monday in Brown County. https://t.co/v64tPETojb
— IndyStarSports (@IndyStarSports) September 22, 2020
Waltermire’s vehicle crossed the highway’s center line and hit a 2012 Hyundai Elantra driven by Hana Cai, who was traveling behind the motorcycle and was unable to avoid the Nissan, according to WXIN.
According to investigators, it was unclear how Wendell Bailey’s motorcycle was involved in the crash, WTHR reported.
Nobody else was injured, WXIN reported.
Indiana University posted a message of condolence on its Twitter page on Tuesday.
Our thoughts and prayers are with Damon Bailey and his family during this difficult time. We are so sorry for the loss of your father, Wendell, and for injuries suffered by your mother, Beverly, in this terrible accident yesterday.
— Indiana Basketball (@IndianaMBB) September 22, 2020
Damon Bailey is one of the most prominent stars in Indiana basketball history. He grew up in Heltonville and was recruited while he was still in grade school by Indiana basketball coach Bob Knight, Sports Illustrated reported. Damon Bailey starred at Bedford North-Lawrence High School and helped his team to a state championship in 1990, the magazine reported.
The motorcycle crash remains under investigation, the Star reported.
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