Law enforcement officials are investigating a motorcycle-car accident that injured an ISU student, who was listed in critical condition Tuesday night.

Jared Witt, sophomore in pre-business, was westbound on Knapp Street at 11:58 a.m. Monday, when his motorcycle struck a southbound Cadillac on Lynn Avenue, driven by Richard Holtz, 1005 28th St.

“The driver [of the Cadillac] looked both directions and was proceeding to go, but construction equipment was blocking his view north,” said Officer Allan Lavender, Ames Police Department.

Witt, a member of Phi Delta Theta, was not wearing a helmet at the time of the accident, Lavender said. He sustained substantial injuries to his face and head.

Vickie Newall, community relations assistant at Mary Greeley Medical Center, said critical condition means Witt’s “vital signs are not within normal limits, the patient may not be conscious and indicators [are] questionable.”

Jared Witt’s father, Tom Witt, said his son was still unconscious Tuesday. He said he wishes his son would have been wearing a helmet.

“Jared has had this motorcycle for four of five years – since he was old enough to get his license,” Tom Witt said. “He really likes his cycle a lot, but he should have been wearing a helmet.”

The state of Iowa does not have a law requiring motorcyclists to wear a helmet.

“Kids are required to be in safety seats, and we enforce that,” Lavender said. “It is my opinion we look at motorcycles and see if we should enforce helmets or not. When we go to serious motorcycle accidents, victims seem to have multiple head injuries. In those occasions . I think the helmets might have prevented serious injury.”

Holtz, the other driver, received minor cuts and was released at the scene. Lavender said the accident is still under investigation.

“We will work up the speeds of the vehicle to the best that we can and determine whether charges will be filed on anyone,” he said.