Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email.

Across roadways in America, a grim reality is driving calls for change as more people walking are killed. Studies show pedestrian deaths have gone up by at least 45% over the last decade. An analysis by the Governors Highway Safety Association projected a 17% increase in pedestrians killed in the first six months of 2021. 

A pedestrian was seriously injured earlier this month after a motorcycle crash in Wormleysburg that occurred after a police pursuit was initiated over a helmet visor violation.

Nedeljko Ignjatovic, 26, of Yocumtown in York County, on Thursday waived his preliminary hearing on charges of felony aggravated assault by vehicle and fleeing police, misdemeanor recklessly endangering another person and summary traffic offenses. Additional charges of felony aggravated assault by vehicle while DUI, misdemeanor DUI general impairment, DUI controlled substances and simple assault were also added on the day of the hearing, and those were waived to higher court as well.

The charges stem from an Oct. 14 pedestrian crash near the riverside restaurants off South Front Street in Wormleysburg.

West Shore Regional Police reported in an affidavit that a marked police cruiser was in the parking lot of a restaurant in the 800 block of North Front Street around 8:45 p.m. when an officer observed two motorcycles traveling south, with one of the drivers operating his motorcycle with his visor up on his helmet.

Proper eye protection is required in the Motor Vehicle Code, and the police officer moved to follow the operator, later identified as Ignjatovic, and caught up with him in the 200 block of North Front Street. The affidavit said the police officer activated his emergency lights, and Ignjatovic initially stopped to waive the officer to pass him. However, police said upon realization that he was being stopped, Ignjatovic fled south, running a red light at North Front and Walnut streets.

Across roadways in America, a grim reality is driving calls for change as more people walking are killed. Studies show pedestrian deaths have gone up by at least 45% over the last decade. An analysis by the Governors Highway Safety Association projected a 17% increase in pedestrians killed in the first six months of 2021. 

Police said the officer was unable to read the registration plate, which was mounted vertically, and he pursued the motorcyclist, who increased his speed to about 80 mph.

The affidavit said that the officer remained in pursuit, claiming he had to get a better read on the registration tag, though he was unable to keep up with the motorcycle. Police said the officer left his emergency lights on to warn pedestrians as they were nearing Duke’s Riverside Bar and Grille in the 300 block of South Front Street, but by the time he arrived in that area, he realized the motorcycle had crashed.

According to the affidavit, the officer first went to Ignjatovic who was lying in the road and complained of pain in his lower back and legs. It was then that Ignjatovic allegedly told the officer that he got scared during the traffic stop and ran because he did not have a license. Ignjatovic claimed that he had slowed down to 38 mph at the time of the crash.

The officer then discovered an ambulance crew taking care of a pedestrian who was struck in the crash, according to the affidavit. The affidavit did not have details about the crash, but it said the pedestrian had not been in the crosswalk at the time he was struck by the motorcycle.

The crash had severed part of the pedestrian’s leg and severely mangled the other leg, and another police officer applied a tourniquet to each to prevent any hemorrhaging. The affidavit said the severed leg was found several yards away from his body.

Ignjatovic was arraigned on Oct. 17 on the charges. Bail was set at $100,000 cash, which he posted on Oct. 19. A formal arraignment in the case is set for Dec. 19.

Email Naomi Creason at ncreason@cumberlink.com or follow her on Twitter @SentinelCreason.

Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email.

Managing Editor at The Sentinel.

Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.

Police said Whitcomb was last seen at 10 p.m. Monday in the 300 block of Avon Drive in Carlisle.

Today's Sentinel police log includes burglary and theft investigations across Cumberland County.

This week's Court Roundup includes a stabbing in South Middleton and a sentencing in a home improvement fraud case in Carlisle.

Today's police log includes the theft and unauthorized use of a credit card.

A Carlisle man faces charges after York County police say he connected with a student online and engaged in sexual activity with the student l…

Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device.