NASHVILLE — The father of Indiana basketball legend Damon Bailey died Monday in a motorcycle crash in Brown County. Bailey's mother was also seriously injured.
Wendell Bailey died in the crash that occurred just after 2:45 p.m. Monday in the 3600 block of State Road 46. Beverly Bailey was airlifted to a nearby hospital due to her injuries, according to a news release from the Brown County Sheriff's Office. Her condition has not been released.
The sheriff's office confirmed the Baileys are the parents of Damon Bailey, who set the Indiana State High School Athletic Association's all-time boys basketball scoring record with 3,134 points during his career at Bedford North Lawrence High School. He went on to play four seasons under Bob Knight at Indiana University before graduating in 1994.
A tweet from the official IU men's basketball Twitter account said, "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."
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
Investigators learned the driver of a 2005 Nissan Altima attempted to pass a tractor-trailer and noticed an oncoming 1990 Honda GL1500SE motorcycle driven by Wendell Bailey.
The sheriff's office said the Altima's driver got back behind the tractor-trailer before overcorrecting and losing control. His vehicle crossed the center line and was struck by the driver of a 2012 Hyundai Elantra.
The driver of the Elantra was behind the Baileys' motorcycle and collided with the Nissan Altima. Investigators are not sure how the Baileys' were involved in the crash.
No other injuries were reported in the crash. The crash remains under investigation.
