Bloomington teen dies in motorcycle accident

A 17-year-old Bloomington High School North student was killed in a motorcycle accident early Sunday morning on East Anderson Road.

Katie O. Sorrells of Bloomington died at the scene after a 2007 Yamaha F6S motorcycle – driven by Dennis A. Knowles, 19, of Bloomington – struck a large dumpster in the driveway at 3980 E. Anderson Road.

Sorrells and Knowles were on the motorcycle, heading eastbound on Anderson Road when they approached a curve near Lydy Road, according to a Monroe County Sheriff’s Department e-mail. The motorcycle went off the right side of the road and continued through the yard of a residence on Anderson Road.

The motorcycle hit a large dumpster and came to a rest in the driveway. Sorrells was pinned under the motorcycle when it came to a complete stop. Monroe County Coroner David Toumey pronounced her dead at about 1:30 a.m. at the scene. Knowles was transported to the hospital and suffered internal injuries and fractures to the neck.
Neither Sorrells nor Knowles were wearing a helmet.

Accident reconstructionist Nathan Peach took measurements and is going to attempt to get a speed on the motorcycle as it left the roadway, according to the e-mail. Peach stated speed was a factor in the crash, according to the e-mail.

A toxicology report is pending.